I bark out a laugh and slap a palm over my mouth.
He eyes me carefully, and I chew on my bottom lip. If there’s one thing this man appreciates, it’s gossip.
I roll my lips together and say nothing more.
He leans forward on his elbows. “You can’t react like that and then not tell me what’s so funny.”
My cheeks flame. There’s no way I can divulge details of that night to my dad’s friend and former teammate.
“Umm…” I clear my throat. “Well…”
“Oh Jesus.” He pales. “Itwasthe frosting, wasn’t it?” He shakes his head in thought. “I’m going to get my first one-star review, all because I wouldn’t listen to my wife when she told me not to switch suppliers.”
“Actually”—Kate’s voice streams across the room as she hands one of the servers her jacket and leads Jensen toward our table—“the frosting was perfect.”
My mother-in-law has radar hearing.
She and Jensen kiss me on the cheek and slide into two available chairs around the table. They both look tanned and relaxed.
“Positively delicious,” Jensen agrees, keeping a straight face worthy of winning any poker competition.
Everyone falls silent and I catch myself, pushing back my chair. “Shit, sorry, I can find another table and give you guys some privacy to talk.”
Kate shakes her head and her hand circles my arm. “Don’t be silly, Drew. You’re as much a part of this family as anyone else.”
Her words shoot a warm feeling inside me, her new black sapphire ring sparkling in the restaurant lighting.
She turns to Jon and smiles. “We’re actually looking to hire you again.”
Jon looks as shocked as I feel.
“For a wedding?” I blurt out.
Jensen sighs and shakes his head. “No. One ceremony organized by Jon is more than enough for anyone in their lifetime.”
Jon narrows his eyes at his former teammate. “Duly noted, Jensen.” He turns back to Kate. “In that case, how can I be of assistance?”
Kate lowers her voice, looking a little pained as she says, “I need you to help me with my retirement party.”
Jon rears back, and my head whips to Kate. “You’re retiring?”
“Shhh,” she hushes me, eyes darting around the restaurant likeretirementis a dirty word. I guess to a workaholic like Kate, it really is. “You don’t know who’s listening, and I haven’t exactly announced it yet.”
Jon’s jaw is agape. “No kidding. Felicity hasn’t mentioned a word to me.”
Kate sits back in her chair, satisfaction pulling at her lips. “Of course she hasn’t. Don’t forget that your wife and I go back further than you two do.”
“I still can’t believe that you’re retiring,” I mumble.
Kate rests her hand over mine. “I’m turning sixty soon and it’s time to start concentrating on family. With June looking to buy a place in Seattle and you and Will living here for the foreseeable future, I want to devote more time to you all.”
“Our daughter isn’t just buying ‘a place’,” Jensen interjects. “More like a goddamn mansion.”
I low chuckle, still wondering how June will fill the house with furniture. It’s the size of Buckingham Palace. Well, not quite, but you get the picture.
Kate flicks her blonde hair over one shoulder. “It’s an investment, JJ.”
He rolls his eyes. “An investment that will require live-in staff to maintain the grounds.”