“The Lakeview Café is closed, but Andrea’s keeping The Starlight Café open for everyone.”
“It’s by our house,” Oscar told Liam. “It has the best hot chocolate in the whole world.”
Chloe smiled at Liam. “Andrea adds a chocolate coated marshmallow and a small gingerbread cookie to each saucer. Oscar loves going there.”
Liam lifted Chloe’s hand to his mouth and kissed the back of her hand. “In that case, we’d better hurry before everyone in the auditorium arrives. I’ll meet you there.”
Chloe gave him a quick hug before getting her keys out of her pocket. “I’ll see you soon.”
With a cheerful wave from Oscar, they walked to each of their vehicles. Liam just hoped the rest of Paul’s visit was as positive as tonight had been.
The next day,Chloe took a bag of mushrooms out of the refrigerator. Scattered across the kitchen countertop were flour, grated cheese, and lots of pizza toppings. The aroma of fresh dough mingled with the scent of basil and tomatoes almost made up for having Paul there.
Oscar stood on his tiptoes, carefully arranging pepperoni slices into a smiley face on his pizza. “Look, Mom! It’s a happy pizza!”
She smiled, pleased that he was having fun. “It’s wonderful. Would you like some mushrooms?”
“No, thanks. I don’t like mushrooms.”
Chloe’s eyebrows rose. That was news to her.
Paul chuckled from the other side of the counter. “I don’t like mushrooms, either. Can you teach me how to make a pizza like yours, Oscar?”
He grinned at his father. “Sure! It’s easy. You just have to make the eyes and mouth like this.” He placed more pepperoni on Paul’s pizza, taking extra care to make it perfect.
Chloe watched them work together. Seeing Oscar so happy made her feel as though Paul’s visit at least proved that Oscar enjoyed spending time with his dad. But Paul’s sudden reappearance and eagerness to be involved felt abrupt, and she still questioned his motives.
“Why don’t you wash up for lunch, Oscar, while we put the pizzas in the oven?” she suggested.
“Okay!” Oscar wiped his flour-covered hands on his apron before dashing off to the bathroom.
As the sound of running water echoed down the hall, silence settled between Chloe and Paul. She busied herself with sliding the pizzas into the oven, setting the timer, and tidying up the workspace.
“Chloe,” Paul began hesitantly.
She glanced up, meeting his gaze briefly before looking away. “Yes?”
“I wanted to give you something.” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope, extending it toward her.
She eyed it warily. “What’s this?”
“Please, just open it.”
Cautiously, she took the envelope and opened it. Inside was a check. Her eyes widened as she read the amount—ten thousand dollars. “What’s this for?”
“It’s for you.” Paul looked uncertainly at her. “I know it’s not everything, but it’s a start. I’m trying to repay what I took from our account.”
She felt a lump form in her throat. Memories of the past—the betrayal, the arguments, the financial strain—rushed back. “You don’t have to?—”
“Yes, I do,” he interrupted softly. “I hurt you, Chloe. My actions put you and Oscar in a difficult position. I can’t change the past, but I can try to make amends.”
She studied his face, searching for signs of insincerity but found none. “How did you manage this?”
“Not long after you left, I changed jobs. The engineering company I’m working for pays well and I get all kinds of bonuses. It’s been steady work, and I’ve been saving any extra income I earn. I want to make things right, for both of you.”
She hesitated, her fingers gripping the edges of the check. The money would make an enormous difference, especially with all the after-school activities Oscar wanted to join. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Just say you’ll accept it,” Paul said. “I plan to pay back as much as I can. It’s the least I can do.”
