Page 60 of Finally Home

“I think so too,” I grin. “I promise I won’t say a word about anything you tell me. I’d never put the safety of my new future bestie at risk.” Lyla looks like she’s about to cry but luckily I’m turning into the parking lot of my favorite brunch spot so I’m able to distract her.

“Okay,” I say, turning off the car. “How do you feel about some classic southern biscuits and gravy and maybe a pastry or two?”

She groans and I smother a laugh. “If you keep feeding me like this, you’ll never get rid of me.”

Walking into the cozy restaurant is like I’ve stepped into a time machine in the best way. Rho and I used to make the two-hour drive here nearly every single weekend in college and the owners always fawned all over us. I’m pretty sure we even brought Derrick here a few times when they were still rooming together.

“Is that our little sunny girl?” Ma’s exuberant voice rings out through the dining room, and it brings a wide smile to my face. Tara “Ma” and Thaddeus “Pa” Taylor have been running this restaurant for thirty years and always say they plan to die here.

“Ma,” I smile brightly.

The boisterous woman pulls me into a hug. “My girl, it sure is good to see you again. I can’t believe I missed you last week when you picked up your to-go order! You know that boy of yours still comes in here nearly every Sunday with two very hunky friends. I swear I don’t know how anyone keeps those bottomless pits fed,” she gripes as she leads us over to a table. “Who’s this pretty little thing?” She asks when she notices Lyla behind me.

Lyla has a faraway look in her eyes, so I grip her hand and give it a gentle squeeze, pulling her into the booth next to me. “This is my new friend, Lyla. She doesn’t have any family here, so we’ve adopted her.”

Ma smiles, patting Lyla gently on the hand. “Well then, welcome to the family, honey. You ladies want anything to drink?”

“Can I have a vanilla cranberry mimosa, please?” I ask, putting my hands in the prayer position under my chin.

She rolls her eyes. “I guess since you’re legal now I can’t tell you no.” she chuckles. Turning to Lyla, she raises an eyebrow. “Anything for you, darlin’?

Lyla’s wide eyes peruse the menu. “I don’t really drink…” she whispers.

“That’s okay! You can get anything here without alcohol, or if you want to try a drink, you can. Whatever sounds best to you.”

“Can I do the prickly pear mimosa but as a lemonade instead?” She asks quietly.

Ma puts her pad away and waves us off with a grin. “‘Course you can. I’ll be right back out with those. Y’all just give me a holler if you need anything at all.”

As soon as she walks away, I turn to ask Lyla what she wants to eat but a throat clearing next to us startles me. A gaze I didn’t expect to see until Monday meets mine, and I suck in a sharp breath.

Derrick’s red-rimmed brown eyes peer down at me. “Hey, Wren.”

CHAPTER 37

WREN

“Derrick,” I breathe. My voice is barely more than a nervous rasp as I take in the disheveled man standing in front of our booth. His normally perfect blond hair is messy like he’s been running his fingers through it, and he’s got dark circles under his eyes.

“Can we talk?” He asks hoarsely.

Lyla looks between us with raised eyebrows, and I give her the barest shake of my head. I told her all about Derrick last night, so I’m sure she’ll follow my lead.

Clearing my throat, I keep my head high as I address him. “I’m having brunch with a friend right now, so I can’t. But didn’t we already agree to meet on Monday?”

“We did, but it’s really important. I think the sooner we talk, the better. If you have the time, would you please consider meeting with me today?”

The sorrow on his face surprises me, but he does seem more alert and healthier than when I last saw him in court. I consider him for a moment and finally nod. “I can meet you at your hotel after I make sure my friend gets home safe.”

He nods and leaves us be. Turning to my friend, I let out a long breath. “Shit. I didn’t think he could still make me that nervous.”

She grips my hand tightly under the table. “Are you sure you should meet him, Wren? Is it even safe to be alone with him?”

I shake my head just as Pa shows up with our drinks. He slides into the booth across from us and squeezes my free hand. “Hey sunny girl. I saw that lad botherin’ you lasses. Need me ta beat anyone up fer ya?” He asks gruffly in his thick brogue, flexing his pale arm. Pa is just about six feet tall with an average build, wild red hair, and blue eyes. The man is as Irish as they come.

With a loud laugh, I hug him back. “That’s my ex-husband, Derrick. And unfortunately, I need to meet with him to clear the air before we part ways for good. I’ll let you know about the beating though.”

He chuckles and squeezes my hand one final time as he gets up. “You do that, sunny. You lasses have an idea of what ye want?”

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