Amanda patted Theo’s arm. “It’s hard to do anything indulgent without the single-parent guilt setting in, isn’t it?”
“It is,” Theo said, an understanding passing between them.
I’d only been taking care of Charlotte for a week—just long enough to know how all-consuming little kids could be. But while I got to leave at the end of the day and not worry about how Charlotte was doing while I was away, since I knew Theo was a capable father, parents didn’t really get to clock out.
Even when they weren’t physically with their kids, the responsibility of caring for their well-being was always there.
“Meanwhile,” Miles cut in with a grin, “I get massages every week during football season.”
“Ah,” Amanda said, letting out a jealous sigh. “Lucky.”
He chuckled. “Trust me, they’re not nearly as relaxing as the one we had today. Feels more like being tortured.”
“I’ve been there,” I said, nodding. “Our gymnastics physical therapist definitely didn’t believe in five-star resort vibes.”
“Oh no!” Miles laughed. “More medieval?”
“Pretty sure she got special joy out of making us scream,” I said dryly.
The hostess appeared then. “Your table is ready. If you’ll follow me.”
Theo and Amanda led the way as we moved through the restaurant toward the back. As we passed softly lit tables and low conversations, I felt a subtle shift in the room—heads turning, voices dipping, a few not-so-subtle double takes.
Miles didn’t seem to notice any of it, or if he did, he gave no indication. But I caught a woman near the bar nudging her friend, as well as a man at a nearby table openly staring before quickly pretending to be very interested in his menu.
We stopped at a round table tucked into a quieter corner, and the hostess gestured for us to sit.
I ended up between Miles and Amanda, which put me directly across from Theo. Our eyes met briefly over the flickering candles of the centerpiece, before he looked down to adjust his napkin.
“What do you say?” Amanda asked, eyeing the drink menu. “Should we go all out?”
“Might as well,” I said, lifting my own menu and scanning a list of wines with names I couldn’t pronounce. “Lia and Romeo seemed pretty intent on us fully enjoying ourselves, right?”
“I believe so,” Theo said, looking at the menu himself.
“Should we order wine, then?” Theo asked, looking up from the menu.
“Yes, please,” Amanda said.
When the server returned, we ordered two bottles, one on the sweeter side for Miles and me, and a drier option for Theo and Amanda.
A few minutes later, the server came back with both, set them down with practiced ease, and poured a small taste into Theo’s glass first.
Theo swirled it expertly—like he did this sort of thing all the time—took a sip, and gave a nod.
When the server opened the second bottle and offered Theo a taste again, Theo tipped his chin toward Miles.
“Let him do it,” Theo said, a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
Miles blinked like he wasn’t sure about being a designated wine taster, but with a shrug, he lifted the glass and copied Theo’s exact movements, swirling and sniffing before taking a sip.
Theo’s mouth twitched.
“Yes,” Miles said, smacking his lips together like people did in the movies. “Tastes like… wine.”
The server smiled like he’d heard worse, then poured for the rest of us.
“I didn’t realize you were such a wine expert,” I whispered to Miles as soon as the server was gone.