“So tell me more about your kids,” Austin says, and I drag my attention back to him.
“Well, Liam loves all forms of transportation,” I start. “Cars, trucks, buses, you name it. He loved to ride the subway when we lived in Toronto.”
My gaze wanders to Luke again, and as I watch, the brunette leans in so her breasts brush his arm. I wonder where Sloane is tonight, and what she’d think if she saw him with this girl draped across his biceps.
But to be fair, Luke doesn’t seem to be encouraging the female attention. In fact, his eyes are still on Austin and me.
“Melissa?” Austin asks. I realize he’s asked me a question, but I have no idea what it is.
“I’m sorry.” I feel a blush climbing my cheeks. “It’s just—I think I see Luke Carlton at the bar.”
Austin looks over his shoulder, spots Luke, and gives him a wave. “He mentioned he wanted to check this place out. We can go say hi later.”
“Sure.” Because that wouldn’t be awkward at all.
“You said you knew him in high school, right?”
“Yeah. And, um, he operated on my daughter a couple weeks ago. She had appendicitis.”
Austin’s eyes widen and he glances from me to Luke. “She do okay?”
“Yeah, she’s fine. He seems like a really good surgeon.”
“He is. He’s a good guy, too.”
As Austin and I watch, an older woman approaches the bar and manages to insert herself next to Luke, forcing the blonde to take a step back. The newcomer puts a familiar hand on Luke’s arm and engages him in conversation.
And I stare in horror, because I recognize the newcomer. She’s dolled herself up since I dropped off my kids a few hours ago, but I’d know her anywhere.
The woman at the bar with her hand on Luke’s arm is my mother.
I can hardly believe it. Mom must have waited until the kids were in bed, then left them with Dad so she could snoop on my date. My mother’s always been nosy, but this is beyond anything.
“I don’t think she’s competition, Melissa,” Austin says quietly.
In my state of shock, it takes me a minute to realize what Austin means, and another minute before I can answer.
“I hope not,” I finally reply. “Because she’s my mother.”
Austin’s eyes widen. To his credit, he doesn’t laugh, although he does press his lips together for a moment. “Right.”
“She knows Luke because I was friends with him in high school,” I explain weakly. “She’s not trying to pick him up or anything.” Although she is dressed for a night out, in skinny jeans, high-heeled boots, and a full face of makeup.
Austin presses his lips together again. “Right.”
“But I’m pretty sure she came to spy on us,” I say miserably. “She asked me where we were going, but I never thought?—”
“Of course you didn’t,” Austin says with a grin. “Relax, Melissa, it’s kind of funny.”
“I guess.” I’m glad one of us thinks so.
“How long were you and Luke together?” Austin says it so casually that it takes me a minute to realize what he’s asking.
“What?”
“You were together, right? You and Luke?”
“Yeah. Six years.” Austin’s not stupid, so there’s no point denying it. “How did you know?”
