Page 64 of Matthew
But on the way out, Bennett had clapped a hand on his shoulder and said, “Come to the diner. Laurel saved us the last of the roast beef dinners.”
Which was how he ended up walking through the door of Annie’s Diner to the familiar hum of conversation and the smell of fried comfort.
They were barely two steps in when Laurel glanced up from a corner table and smiled, warm and soft in a way Matthew hadn’t seen her smile around anyone but Bennett.
She stood to greet them, and Bennett leaned in for a quick kiss before pulling out a chair for her and sliding into the seat beside her as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Matthew was about to take a seat across from Bennett and Laurel when a familiar laugh drew his attention.
It interrupted his pulse.
He turned and found her.
Callie sat a few tables over with her sister and two women who had to be her mother and grandmother. The resemblance was easy to spot. Maggie talked with her hands, her words clearly theatrical. Her mom smiled with gentle amusement. And her grandmother? She looked like the kind of woman who ran the room without lifting a finger.
But it was Callie who stole his breath.
She was laughing, full and unguarded. Glowing in a way he hadn’t seen all day.
Then her gaze lifted and met his, and for a second, everything else faded to just her. That quiet smile, small and knowing. One meant only for him.
Her mother followed her gaze, then smiled. “Oh! You must be Matthew. Come say hello.”
He glanced toward his friends. Laurel grinned and gave a little wave.
Bennett didn’t even try to hide the smirk. “Go meet the family.”
Internally shaking his head, Matthew crossed the room to the table full of women.
“You already know Maggie,” her mom said warmly. “I’m Callie’s mom, Janice, and this is my mother, Jo.”
He nodded. “Nice to meet you.”
Jo studied him a moment, her eyes sharp with amusement. “You’ve got a good jaw. That’s a dependable trait. You’ve also got that “bend the rules when it matters” look. I like that more.”
“She’s mostly teasing.” Maggie snickered.
“I’m mostly serious,” Jo replied with a wink.
Callie ducked her head with a soft groan. “Sorry.”
Their love and respect for one another immediately set him at ease.
“Don’t be.” He smiled, enjoying their family dynamic.
Her mother nodded, still smiling. “I’d ask you to join us, but it would be rude to leave your friends sitting over there alone.”
“Very rude.” Jo nodded. “We’ll take a raincheck.”
That earned a chuckle from all of them, including Callie.
“Absolutely.” His smile widened. Their genuine warmth seeped into him. It was a balm to his soul that he hadn’t realized had died with his mother. “I’d like that.”
Maggie grinned and leaned over. “Good. Although, don’t make us wait too long. Grandma Jo starts matchmaking if you leave an opening.”
Jo lifted her iced tea. “I’ve already got a backup plan if this one flakes.”
Matthew chuckled and tipped his head. “Duly noted.”
