Page 95 of If We Never Met

"Never," Dante and Micah echoed together, then laughed.

"Well, I think it was smart of you to take up cooking," her mother told Micah. "Cooking is the way to a woman's heart."

"I thought it was the way to a man's heart," she countered.

Her mother shook her head. "No. Women often do all the cooking. When the man cooks, he's more likely to win her over."

She smiled at Dante. "Did you hear that?"

"I wouldn't hold your breath," he returned with a dry smile. "Any other tips, Ruth? If a man can't cook?"

"Humor. If you can laugh with someone, there's a good chance you can stay together." A smile parted her lips. "Mark and I laugh a lot. He's quite funny. He has a very sarcastic, dry sense of humor. He's very quick. I enjoy how fast he can find a joke. I really wish he'd been able to come tonight. But even if he's not here, we can enjoy the food that he dropped off and that Micah cooked so excellently."

"I'll drink to that." Keira lifted her wine glass. She really didn't want to hear any more about the amazing Mark at this moment. She clinked glasses around the table and then went back to her meal.

When Micah brought out the dessert, a tart with fresh strawberries and cream, she was even more impressed. "You really need to be in a restaurant," she told Micah. "Or get that food truck fixed. You're too good just to cook for friends and family."

"Thanks," Micah said. "Tonight gave me a chance to remember how fun it is just to make something out of a bunch of ingredients I hadn't picked out. I've gotten so bogged down with the business angle, I almost forgot how much I love to experiment with my cooking. I had a chance to slow down, look at my priorities." His gaze moved to Dante. "And what's really important to me."

Something passed between the two brothers. She couldn't read the message, but she suspected Micah was making a point about Dante and his priorities. But Dante's arm was going to make his choice, not his brain.

"Maybe it's the mountains, the beautiful lake, this nice town," Micah continued. "It has a good vibe. It opens your eyes."

"I love Whisper Lake," her mom said. "But sometimes I think the mountains act as barriers, instead of motivators. We have everything we think we need right here, but maybe we don't."

She met her mother's gaze. "I know you're talking about me."

"Not completely," her mom denied. "I was just thinking that Micah found clarity when he left his home and came here. Maybe it's leaving your comfort zone that really makes the difference, not the location. Not that I want you to leave, Keira. I just don't want to be the reason you stay."

"Mom, you don't have to worry about that." She didn't want to have this conversation with her mother now, not with Dante and Micah listening in.

"But I do worry about you, Keira," her mom continued. "I was the reason you came back. It wasn't your choice. You've taken such good care of me. However, I worry that you're missing out on the life you were meant to have."

"I make my own choices. And I don't think being happy is about geography; it's about who you are with and what you do with your life." She cleared her throat, realizing she was getting too close to her issues with Dante. "Let's talk about something else. What were you and Dante laughing about when I called you in for dinner? I have a feeling you were talking about me."

"I'm afraid I can't reveal that," Dante said, a smile playing around the corners of his mouth.

"That answer will drive her crazy," her mother said. "Keira hates when people have a secret."

"I do hate that." She gave Dante a pointed look. "So, spill."

"Your mom told me about the time you tried to dye your hair blonde and ended up a greenish-yellow color," he said.

She groaned. "You told him that story, Mom?"

"He mentioned how we both have the same beautiful brown hair, and I told him that in middle school you really wanted to be blonde like Chloe and Gianna, so you tried to dye your hair, but it turned green and yellow, and you couldn't go to school for a week until we got your hair fixed."

"Why did you want to be blonde?" Dante asked.

"I'm pretty sure there was a boy involved. I was thirteen and stupid. I'm sure you did dumb things at that age."

"Did he ever,” Micah said.

"Hold on," Dante interrupted, putting up a hand. "I think we've all shared enough family stories for one night."

"That's true," she agreed. "I'm going to clear the plates."

"I'll help." Dante got to his feet.

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