Page 54 of The Missing Ingredient

“Marcus is still with us, Thomas,” came the voice of Dr. Billie Rix. “Marcus, do you think someone like Thomas could be worth a second chance?”

Marcus peered through the glass paneling to where Tina sat, a handkerchief balled up over her mouth, her eyes pooling with tears. Of course he had told her all about Tom. When she caught his eye, she nodded vigorously, sending tears spilling down her cheek.

“I do,” choked Marcus. “Yes, Tom. I do.”

Chapter Eighteen

COLDrain fell unceasingly from the night sky on their stroll back to the restaurant. Both huddled beneath their umbrellas, both unspeaking, Marcus repeatedly checking his phone, wondering if Tom would call or text. Finally, when a ping came through, he stopped walking and stared down at the display.

Tom.

I need to see you. If you’ll let me.

Marcus texted back immediately.

Of course I will. I’m off all day tomorrow.

Good. This can’t wait.

“Tom?” asked Tina, who had stopped and turned back a few paces in front.

“Yes,” he said, staring first at the phone display and then at Tina.

“And?”

“He wants to talk,” he said as he caught up and continued on toward the restaurant. “Tomorrow.”

“And how do you feel about that?”

“I’m not sure. But I did say I’d give him a second chance, didn’t I?”

Countless thoughts swam around his head as they moved onward. Was he doing the right thing? Would meeting up change anything? One thing was for certain. Without Tom in his life, he felt more miserable than ever. When they reached the restaurant door, Marcus stopped and turned to Tina.

“You can head off now, if you want. I’ll help finish up in the kitchen.”

“No,” she said firmly. “I need to talk to you too. About me. Come on, let’s go to your office and get a couple of drinks.”

Something about her tone put him on guard. And then, once they’d sat down and one of his team had asked them what they wanted to eat and drink, she shocked him again. In all the years he had known Tina, she had never refused a glass of red wine in favor of mineral water. Certainly not after such an exhausting day. Without speaking, she sat waiting patiently for him to finish a roast beef sandwich and a bottle of beer. After what she had said, he had begun to think the worst, that she was going to quit.

He couldn’t have been further from the truth.

“You’re what?”

“I’m pregnant.”

They sat in his small office with the door open while his kitchen staff went about cleaning up. He would have sat them both outside in the main restaurant, but four tables were still occupied with regulars finishing their coffees and liqueurs. Besides, his staff had been listening to his interview, and every now and then, one of them popped their head in to give him a thumbs-up.

“Oh my goodness,” said Marcus, getting up from his seat and going around to give her a hug. “That’s fantastic.”

“You’re not mad?”

“Why on earth would I be mad?”

“Because I’ll need to take time off.”

“Come on, Tina. You know me better than that. You’ve worked tirelessly for me all these years. We would never have been half as successful without your hard work and without you pushing me to do more. I am so happy for you and Mel. How far along are you?”

“Two months.”

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