Izak brings the SUV to a stop, and when Lainey pushes her door open to climb out of the vehicle, I do the same. I glance up and down the bustling street, and noticing a long line at the entrance of All That Jazz, my stomach sinks.
Holy crap.
There’s never a line at Reggie’s Diner, and it’s the most popular spot in Verona.
Actually, it’s the only place to eat in that one-horse town.
“Come on,” Lainey says as she takes me by the hand.
I’m tugged toward the entrance, where a woman is standing behind a podium of some sort. She’s dressed in a black pantsuit, and her makeup is done to perfection.
I wish I could do my mine like that.
The moment the hostess notices Lainey, a wide smile splits over her face. “Lainey! What a nice surprise.”
“Hi, Bianca,” my goddaughter replies.
Bianca gives me a curious look, then asks, “Will your uncle be joining you?”
Lainey lets out a sigh, then mutters, “No. It’s just my aunt and me. The usual table, please.”
It’s only then I realize Easton’s fame extends to Lainey as well.
“Of course. Follow me,” Bianca says, and with her chin held high, she walks into the busy restaurant, her hips swinging as if she’s modeling the latest fashion.
I glance at the other patrons, and seeing all the expensive clothes, jewelry, and handbags, I feel like something that crawled out of a trash can.
I’m really going to have to put in more effort with my appearance while I’m here. I don’t want to embarrass Easton, Rachel, or Lainey.
“Bianca has a massive crush on Uncle Easton,” Lainey whispers as we follow the hostess. “That’s why there’s always a table available for us even though he’s never eaten here.”
“Is that so?” I whisper back while I keep glancing around the fancy establishment.
Some girls and women wave at Lainey, and she returns their greetings with a polite smile.
Gosh, Lainey’s so grown up. Rachel and I were making mud cakes when we were her age.
We’re shown to a table that overlooks the sidewalk, and as we take our seats, I notice a man hiding partially behind a car with a camera in his hand.
“Ah, Lainey. Shouldn’t we get another table inside? There’s someone with a camera behind the sports car.”
She doesn’t even look up from her menu and only shakes her head. “The paparazzi are everywhere. Just ignore them.”
God, I’m not wearing any makeup.
I turn my face away from the man, and picking up the menu, I use it to hide behind.
Lainey lets out a chuckle. “You’re being silly.”
“I am, right?” I say, chuckling. Focusing on the menu, I ask, “So you suggest the pancakes?”
“Yes,” she replies. “That’s what I’m getting. We can add bacon and share if you want to.”
Relieved that I don’t have to think about what to get, I nod. “That sounds great.”
Lainey gestures for a waitress to come to our table, then orders, “Hi, Stacey, we’ll have a plate of pancakes to share, and please add bacon.”
Stacey jots down the order on a small notepad, then asks, “What would you like to drink?”
