Page 33 of Reuniting with Lucy

“Where’s the fun in that?” Lucy winked.

“You’re testing them?” Archie said. “I love it. We need to place some odds about what will happen this evening. Boys?”

“Oh, geez,” Lucy said. “I’m out. Don’t let anyone find out about this, okay?”

Lucy finished the shift and went home to take a quick nap and get ready for dinner with Jack’s parents. They never did introduce themselves, so she had no idea what their names were.

After she washed and blow-dried her hair, she added some loose, wavy curls. Then picked out something nice to wear, but not too nice. Heaven forbid they think she was trying overly hard to impress them. She settled on dark jeans, a loose-fitting three-quarter sleeve blouse, and riding boots. Normally, she didn’t bother with much makeup but dabbed on just enough to look good but not garish.

Ready with a few minutes to spare, she debated a pre-dinner cocktail but thought showing up with alcohol on her breath might be pushing things a little too far. She only wanted to mess with them, not totally alienate them.

Jack texted to say he was running late and asked that she meet him at the Stargaze Hotel, which housed the nicest restaurant in New Bern. That was fine with her. It would make escaping easier if the need arose. She caught some light traffic but still arrived right on time, which, according to Jack, was late, but she lived by her own set of time rules. She rolled her shoulders, took a deep breath, and walked tall into the restaurant, determined not to let Jack’s fancy parents rattle her.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Jack met his parents in the hotel lobby and walked with them to the restaurant, where they were seated immediately. He’d intended to pick Lucy up, but the day had gotten away from him, and he’d finally run out of time altogether. Now, he wouldn’t have a chance to issue the warning he thought might be necessary—that his parents could be a little pretentious. He hoped she wouldn’t be offended by their more-often-than-not judgyness.

And where the hell was she anyway? His parents hated it when people were late. Not that he cared what they thought, but he didn’t want them to have any excuse not to like her.

As soon as they sat, his mother started in. “We met Lucy this morning,” she said cryptically. “You didn’t tell us she worked in a coffee shop.”

“Oh,” Jack said. “I could’ve sworn I mentioned that. Does it matter?”

His mother dropped all pretense. “Jack, of course it matters. She’s a thirty-year-old barista, who’s giving away the farm to a few old men. At the owner’s expense, I’m sure.”

“First of all, she’s only twenty-nine. Second—” Jack started to set the record straight about Lucy’s occupation, but his dad jumped to her defense.

“Meredith, it’s fine. Now’s not the time for one of your ‘all women want to trap rich men’ speeches.”

“Of course it is,” his mom said. “This is the perfect time. Just don’t knock her up, Jack. That’s the oldest trick in the book,” she whispered. At least she had the decency to lower her voice.

Jack’s blood was heating. He sucked in a deep breath to tamp down his irritation. So what if Lucywasonly a barista? And as for her getting pregnant on purpose? Apparently, not a problem. He’d been secretly relieved when she told him about her infertility. Perhaps that would put his mother at ease too. “You don’t have to worry about that, Mom. Lucy can’t have kids.”

“Is that what she said?” His mother’s voice raised an octave and was no longer quiet. “That’s what they all say! You need to be very careful, son. Men in your situation are big targets.”

“Oh, believe me. I know,” Jack said. His first marriage had taught him that lesson.

“What about the Crabtree’s daughter? She’s still available and pretty as ever. You took her out once, didn’t you? You should ask her out again.”

“She’s not my type,” Jack said. She was actually gay but hadn’t come out to her parents. Jack wouldn’t snitch, but he also wasn’t about to reconnect.

“Okay. How about the Wallace’s daughter then?” she said. “She’s pretty too and just graduated from Duke with an art degree.”

“Seems a little young for me. And Duke? Gag. You know I’d never date a Blue Devil.”

“All right, well, let me work on it. I’m sure I can find someone suitable.”

“And by ‘suitable,’ you mean rich,” Jack mumbled, losing patience. “Mom, you’re here to meet the woman I amcurrentlydating. The woman I likeright now. Why would I want you to set me up with someone else?”

“You’re a catch, Jack. You should keep your options open. It was just a thought,” she said, smoothing her hair and sticking up her nose.

He loved his mother, but she could be insufferable at times.

“Maybe this was a bad idea,” Jack said as Lucy entered the restaurant. He waved until she spotted him and waved back. “She’s here. Just be nice. Please.”

“Hey, Lucy,” Jack said, standing to give her a peck on the cheek. “You look amazing,” he whispered before pulling away.

“Hello, everyone. Sorry if I’m late.” Jack pulled her chair out, and she thanked him before sitting next to him.

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