“Here’s your spare key,” she said, handing me the key I kept in a planter outside for emergencies.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, putting my purse down and gesturing for her to sit on the sofa.
“My parents sold their house, remember? They’re moving this weekend, so I thought I’d help.”
“Too bad they didn’t want to join you in San Fran,” I said.
She shook her head. “They wouldn’t like it. Not with all the friends they have here and knowing nobody over there but me and Mickey.”
“How is Mickey?” I asked about her husband.
“Good! Busy. He’s trying so hard to get that restaurant off the ground, but it’s such tiring work. There’s not much I can do to help him with that because he insists on being there all the time himself. He’s got the staff he needs. It’s a control thing.”
“Well, it sounds like you also needed a little break from that,” I said.
“Yes! I’ve missed you so much, you little bear,” she said, referencing the nickname we gave each other eons ago.
“I’ve got news, big bear!” I told Angie about the promotion, for which she heartily congratulated me.
“And while I’m so excited for that, I’m more excited to meet Colin. Please tell me we can make that happen.” Her eyebrows lifted, imploring me to make it happen.
I giggled. “Sure. Come out with us for a celebratory dinner.”
“Hell yes!” She jumped up and walked over to my kitchen. “Where do you keep the wine?”
We toasted to me, to each other, to Mickey’s restaurant, to Colin, and to every good thing we could think of.
Dinner that evening with Angie and Colin was a great success. Colin was smooth, engaging, and gracious—the same way he always was with me. I covered my mouth to suppressmy laughter when she rapid-fire interviewed him, and he played along marvelously.
“Okay, Ange, let’s give him a minute to enjoy the bread now, huh?” I said, buttering my bread.
“I’m entitled to look out for my best friend. But what about Momma Bear? When’s that introduction happening?” she asked, looking back and forth between Colin and me.
Ihadthought about it. More and more as time passed.
“I’ve methisfamily,” I said.
“So you’ve told me,” Angie said. “Though I don’t think they really met you as a serious girlfriend. You two are serious, aren’t you?” She directed this at Colin.
“As serious as it gets,” he said.
“Oh? ‘Cause I don’t see a ring on her finger,” my friend not-so-subtly pointed out.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“Angie!” I nearly choked, banging my hands on the table.
Colin chuckled. “No ring on the fingeryet. Don’t try to take my moment. When it happens, you’ll be one of the first to know.”
Angie sat back and smiled at me. “I’ll bethefirst to know.”
I was blushing hard. “Okay, this isn’t necessary. Colin, you don’t need to be bullied byAngelica.”
“When have I ever let anyone bully me, my love?” He kissed my cheek and laced his fingers with mine beneath the table.
My heart was about to burst when the server came over and took our order.
Colin seemed to ponder something. “I’m not sure I realized how much meeting your mom meant to you. You met my family. Though I admit—even if you met them on our wedding day—it wouldn’t have made a difference to me. I suppose that all goes back to how differently we were raised and how loving a family you’ve had.”
