“With the money and his house, I doubt I’ll need any favors from you.”
“Then we’ll all be happy.”
“Luc!”
My shoulders tense. Cas is here. With the shit going on in Willow’s Peak, I didn’t expect him to show up today. Mom freezes and slowly turns to see him walking into the bar.
Cas tips his chin at me, ignores my mother, and tells Luca, “Your sister wants you to call her.”
“Is she okay?”
Mom can’t take her eyes away from Cas and he frowns when he catches her staring.
“Is there something wrong with her?”
Mom laughs and looks to me. “Walk me out?” Then asks Luca, “That’s if we’re done here?”
“Yeah, we’re good. Stay in touch and don’t worry, I won’t be offended if I don’t get an invite to the wedding of the year.”
Mom rolls her eyes and turns her back. I catch her up. “It’s nice to see he hasn’t changed after all these years.”
“Mom…”
“I’m serious. It’s who he is, it wasn’t about me.”
We step outside and she mutters, “For fuck’s sake, I should have known she’d be here too.”
Cas’s old lady, Luca’s mom, is walking toward us and she clearly remembers who my mother is.
“Danni. I didn’t think I’d see you again.”
“Like wise.”
“I heard about your son. I’m sorry you know that kind of pain.”
Taken aback, Mom nods and clears her throat. “Thank you.”
They stare at one another for a long moment until Alannah says, “It’s crazy how your son is now patching in with my son.”
“I asked him to, and now he seems to like it here.”
“From what I’ve seen, you have a son to be proud of.”
I expect Mom to snap at her, when it came to me and my brother, she doesn’t like to be told she’s done a good job, it made her feel like everyone expected her to fail.
“I am. Your boy doesn’t seem to be doing too badly himself. He’s certainly his father’s son.”
Tension simmers once again and I nod at Alannah and nudge my mom until there is distance between them.
“Will you say goodbye to Pippa for me.”
“Stay. I want you to get to know her.”
“If it’s serious for you with her, then well arrange something soon.”
Oliver settles in his cot and Pippa closes his door. I pour her a glass of wine and grab myself a beer from her fridge.
“So, you were telling me earlier that you think you like me.”
