“She does.” Jamie’s voice was quiet, but steady.
Her mom chuckled softly. “Well, then I’m already a fan.”
Jamie smiled into her lap. “Don’t jinx it.”
“I won’t. But let me just say this, Jamie. You deserve someone who sees you for exactly who you are and doesn’t try to shrink you. You’ve always been too bright to live small.”
Jamie pressed her lips together, breath catching. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Anytime. Now, where are you going? Somewhere nice?”
Jamie laughed. “A restaurant near downtown. Nothing too fancy, but nicer than a diner. Erin actually offered to pick me up, can you believe that?”
“Sounds like she was raised right.”
“Or she’s just old-fashioned,” Jamie said, smirking at her reflection. “Dad would probably love her already.”
Her mom’s laughter came warm and easy through the speaker. “That does sound like your dad. But I think it’s sweet.”
“It is,” Jamie admitted. “But I told her I needed to drive myself. I’m on call tonight. If something breaks, I’ll have to run.”
“Occupational hazard,” her mom sighed. “Just don’t forget to enjoy yourself while you can.”
“I won’t.” Jamie stood again, smoothing her sweater. “Okay, I’ve gotta go if I don’t want to be late.”
“Go have fun, honey. Call me tomorrow and tell me everything.”
“I will. Love you, Mom.”
“Love you too.”
Jamie ended the call, her chest buzzing in that way it did after conversations with her parents: comforted and centered but still bubbling with energy.
The drive into the city felt shorter than it had any right to. She caught herself smiling at stoplights, singing softly to the radio. She thought about Erin showing up at her door like some scene out of an old black-and-white movie. It made her laugh out loud in the car, cheeks aching again.
When she pulled into the restaurant lot, she checked the time. Ten minutes early. Perfect. She smoothed her hair in the mirror, took a steadying breath, and stepped out.
But when she pushed through the glass doors, her pulse stumbled.
Erin was already there.
Seated by the window, coat draped over the back of her chair, she looked up at Jamie’s entrance. Their eyes locked, and Erin’s mouth curved into a small, deliberate smile.
Jamie’s lips answered before she even thought about it.
She was early. But Erin had been earlier.
As Jamie walked toward the table, Erin rose smoothly to her feet. That simple gesture sent a rush through Jamie’s chest, a mix of old-world manners and something distinctly Erin.
Without hesitating, Jamie leaned in, sliding an arm around her shoulders and brushing a quick kiss against Erin’s cheek.
“I’ve been looking forward to this all day,” she said, grinning without even trying to hold it back.
Erin’s eyes warmed in a way that made the noise of the restaurant fade to nothing.
And just like that, dinner was officially underway.
Twenty Three
