"Hmm." Mom nods. She's always been incredibly good at reading people. Goes with the territory, I guess. "And you're settling in okay? Making friends?"
Before I can answer, movement by the door catches my eye. My heart nearly stops.
Standing in the front of the restaurant with two guys who must be Aleks Warren and his partner, is Rylan, looking happy and relaxed as he laughs at something one of them says. My heart fucking stops.Rylan's here. In my family's regular spot. Where my mother is currently analyzing my 'interesting team dynamic.'Jesus Christ.I nearly knock over my water glass as memories of last night crash through my brain.Notthoughts I want to have while sitting next to my psychologist mother
"Jamie?" Mom's voice breaks through my daze. "Are you listening, honey?"
"Sorry, just..." I tear my eyes away from Rylan. "Thought I saw someone I know."
But Mom's already turning to look,because of course she is, and her face lights up. "Oh! Isn't that your captain? We should invite them to join us! There's plenty of room."
"Mom, no, that's not—"
But she's already waving. The flash of panic in Rylan's eyes probably mirrors my own before his mask slides back into place.
Well, so much for keeping our distance in public.
Chapter 29
RYLAN
For fuck's sake. Of all the restaurants in Boston...
I freeze mid-step, causing Ben to bump into me from behind.
Jamie's family takes up the corner table like they own it, radiating that casual confidence that comes from old money and Ivy League degrees. His father's got reading glasses perched on his nose, his brother, the neurosurgeon—because of course he's a fuckingneurosurgeon—is gesturing animatedly about something while his lawyer sister nods. And there's Jamie, looking unfairly gorgeous in his post-game suit, wearing that deer-in-headlights expression as his elegantly dressed mother spots us and waves us over with an enthusiastic smile.
My carefully constructed walls start crumbling at the edges just watching them together: their easy affection and inside jokes. Everything I lost after losing Mom and Nick. Everything I've convinced myself I don't need anymore.
"Over here!" Alexandra calls her wave somehow both elegant and enthusiastic. "Please, you must join us!"
"Dude," Aleks mutters behind me. "Is that Jamie Pirelli's mom trying to wave us over?"
"Apparently, it is," I manage, pasting on what I hope passes for a professional smile.
"Wait, is that Adam Pirelli?" Ben says suddenly. Of course, they know each other. They're both brilliant neurosurgeons. Which means there's officially no escape from this dinner.
Jamie's mom is already up, heading in our direction with the same kind of effortless grace Jamie has on the ice. "I'm Alexandra Pirelli," she says warmly, extending her hand. "You must be Rylan. It's so nice to meet you in person."
Her smile is so genuine it hurts. When was the last time someone's mom, other than maybe Jenny Tremblay, looked at me like that? Like I matter beyond my stats and captain's letter.
Over her shoulder, Jamie looks like he wants to slide under the table. I know exactly how he feels.
"It's nice to meet you, too Mrs. Pirelli."
"Alexandra, please." Her smile reaches her eyes, creating tiny laugh lines. "And you must all join us. There's plenty of room."
"Oh, we wouldn't want to intru—"
"Dr. Ben Jacobs?" Jamie's brother interrupts recognition lighting his face. "I just read your paper on repetitive impact trauma in so-called non-contact sports."
"Dr. Adam Pirelli," Ben grins, extending his hand. "Your work on neural regeneration is groundbreaking."
Alexandra's smile widens. "Well, this is wonderful! Joseph, dear, make room, please. We need to grab more chairs."
Jamie's father smiles up at us. "Fair warning, gentlemen. When Alexandra decides you're joining us for dinner, resistance is futile. It's best to surrender gracefully."
Before I know it, we're swept into their orbit. The waitstaff appears as if summoned by magic, pushing tables together, and producing extra place settings. Somehow I end up beside Jamie.Our knees brush briefly under the table before I can shift away. His mom settles directly across from me, her keen but friendly eyes missing nothing.
