I smirked at how quickly his face changed from grateful to sizing Todd up. Xavier held onto his hand a little longer than usual, making it clear that he was keeping an eye on Todd.
“Guess I am the good cop,” I mumbled, causing Xavier to look at me.
“Hi, Todd,” I greeted.
“Hello, Chanel,” he responded, pulling me in for a kiss on the cheek.
We all took our seats across from one another. After ordering drinks, we made small talk discussing our respective days. Todd spoke of his landscaping business, and Wanda discussed the clients she was working with at the accounting firm where she was employed. The conversation went on like that until our food arrived.
“This is excellent. The food is delicious. I always found it interesting how American versions of Italian food vary. This is very different than Italian food in Rome,” Todd commented.
“You’ve been to Rome?” Xavier asked.
“Yes.” Todd paused and looked at Xavier’s mother before continuing. Wanda smiled encouragingly. “My wife loved to travel and had always wanted to take the trip to Rome. We never made it before she got sick,” he stated with sad eyes. “So, in honor of her memory, on what would’ve been our twentieth wedding anniversary, I took my two sons for two weeks. Best bonding experience the three of us have ever had.” Todd grinned proudly.
“Todd showed me pictures of the trip,” Wanda added. “It looks lovely.”
“Italy is one of my favorite countries to visit for the art and history,” I stated.
“You’ve been, Chanel?” Wanda asked.
I nodded, wiping my mouth with the napkin before speaking. “Yes, I studied in Florence for a summer in between my sophomore and junior years in college. I’ve been back a few times since. And Todd’s right, the food here is delicious but so different from authentic food in Italy. We Americans just have different tastes, I guess,” I stated, grinning at Xavier.
He gave me a wink. “I’ll tell our chef how much you all enjoyed it. He’ll be happy to hear it.”
We talked a little more about traveling, Wanda mentioning her trip to Hawaii toward the end of the year. Once the waitress came and took our dinner plates along with our dessert orders, Xavier stood and asked Todd if he wanted to speak with the chef, since he’d enjoyed the food.
“We’ll only be a minute,” he told me, leaning down to press a kiss to my cheek.
I turned to look at Wanda, who was now watching me.
“I wonder what that was really about?”
She smiled. “I asked Xavier if he could give you and me some alone time.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“You and I haven’t had a chance to discuss what happened between your father and me. Or rather, I should say, I never got the chance to apologize to you. My behavior back then was disgraceful. And I’m especially apologetic for the way you found out.”
I looked at Wanda and saw sincerity written all over her face.
“I appreciate that, Ms. Grant.”
“Please, call me Wanda.”
“Wanda. Thank you for apologizing. But in all honesty, that was never my business. What happened between you and my father was between you two and, well, since my mother is…” I shrugged. “I’m more than happy to move past that if you are.”
“Yes. Since I can tell how much my son loves you. I think you and I will be seeing more of each other.”
I inclined my head and swallowed.
“I worry about him and how much he works,” Wanda admitted.
“He told me he gets his work ethic from you.”
“That may be true.” She laughed a little. “And I’m certainly proud of how hard Xavier works and the success that has come of it, but I worry I showed him how to work and never take time for yourself to relax and recharge. I don’t regret any of the sacrifices I made for my son, but I don’t want him to do the same if he doesn’t have to. I don’t want him to look up one day and realize all he has in life is his business. I know how those sacrifices can lead to making poor decisions.” She looked at me.
“I don’t think you have to worry about that. You raised one of the finest men I’ve ever met.” And I wasn’t just saying that.
