“Hello, Ms.Belmont.It’s nice to see you too,” said Elliott, more at ease.
Hazel’s mother smiled.“Now, before we forget, I want to get a photo of us together for your parents.”
After taking several photos of Elliott with her mother, Hazel laughed.“I’m sure there are some satisfactory ones.I’ll send them to both of you.How about a glass of wine?”
Looking relieved, Elliott said, “I’ll open it and serve it to you.Why don’t you two go out onto the deck to relax.”
“Thanks,” said Hazel.“As you can see, the bottle and glasses are on the counter.”
Outside, Hazel took a seat in one of the four chairs that they’d pulled into a circle.She faced her mother.“Doesn’t Elliott look great?And he seems so happy.”
Her mother nodded.“Yes, it’s still a bit of a shock to know why you two will never marry, but you seem fine with it.”
“I am,” Hazel said.“I’ve known for some time, so it isn’t new to me.Besides, I like my life here and hope to stay.”
Her mother gave her a thoughtful look.“But if Mike travels back and forth to Florida, is that what you want?”
Hazel held up a hand to stop her.“Please, Mom, Mike and I are just friends.”
“But I’ve seen the way you look at one another,” her mother protested.
“Hi, there,” said Mike following Elliott out to the deck.
Hazel shot her mother a warning look and hoped that she wouldn’t interfere with what she and Mike were doing.
Elliott handed them each a glass of wine, then handed out a bowl of mixed nuts before sitting down.He lifted his glass of wine.“Here’s to family friends.Ms.Belmont, we’re so pleased to have you here.”
They toasted Hazel’s mother, and then she gazed from Mike to Hazel, smiling sweetly.“Hopefully, I’ll be back again soon.Perhaps with my husband.He, too, should probably meet everyone.”
Elliott winked at Hazel, aware of how pushy her mother could sometimes be.
Hazel bit her lip.She didn’t dare look at Mike.
“Tomorrow at Jake’s, you’ll meet even more people,” said Mike, smoothing the momentary awkwardness away.“It’s an interesting group.”
Her mother studied Mike, and her lips curved.
Oh, no, thought Hazel.Her mother was warming up to Mike.
“Elliott, tell me about your new business,” said her mother, and Hazel leaned back in her chair more relaxed.
Mike lifted her hand and gave it a squeeze.
Hazel turned to him.
“Chill,” said Mike quietly, and she loved how he had picked up on her concern.For someone who was supposed to be just a friend, he was more sensitive to her feelings than the men she’d dated.She liked that about him.
The more Elliott talked about his plans, the happier he seemed.Even Hazel’s mother reacted more enthusiastically as time went on.
When Hazel went into the kitchen to finish dinner, Mike followed her inside.
“Need any help?”he asked.
“You can fill the water goblets on the table,” she said.“I have to steam the broccoli and toss the salad.The chicken casserole looks as if it might be done.”She turned on the heat under the pan with the broccoli.
“Wow!You’ve got this organized,” said Mike.“It smells delicious, too.I can’t seem to get everything done at the same time.”
“Doesn’t Tracy cook?”
