“Don’t overthink it. We’re not trying to impress her, right? If anyone’s going to do the impressing, I’d think that was on her.”
“Understood.” Frankie knew Harper was only going because Frankie had basically begged her to.
But Harper was right. They didn’t need to impress Shar. That was her job—to impress them. After all, she was the one who’d given them up. It certainly hadn’t been their decision.
Frankie reassessed what she’d brought. Maybe being a little more casual was fine. It wasn’t like she was trying to show off. She tried on the khaki capris with a black tank top, then put the white eyelet shirt over it like a cardigan. With black sandals, that might be all right. Or was it?
Why was this so hard?
Because she really did care what Shar thought. She wanted the woman who’d given her up to regret it, at least a little. Preferably a lot. Which probably made her a terrible person, but Frankie couldn’t change how she felt.
The outfit was fine. If Shar didn’t like it, that was her business. Frankie changed into leggings and a T-shirt, then went downstairs for another cup of coffee. She planned on making breakfast, too.
They needed to eat. The meeting wasn’t until noon, but she and Harper had decided to get there a little early to scope things out and get a good table. They were meeting at a little place called Rosie’s Café. According to online reviews, they did a great breakfast and had some of the best pies around.
Frankie would get salad, like she usually did. But maybe a slice of pie, too. Depending on how the meeting went, it might be for celebratory reasons or conciliatory ones. Hard to say.
She was unbelievably nervous. She didn’t feel like eating but the last thing she wanted was to meet Shar while starving. Hangry wasn’t a good look on her.
She got out the eggs and a package of turkey sausage she found in the freezer. After the meeting, she and Harper were going grocery shopping. The cupboards and fridge were looking pretty bare, especially after last night.
Thinking about Lucas made her smile. He was the most incredible man. Not just because he could cook. Or was handsome. Or had a sweet dog. He was also kind and wonderful.
Which reminded her that she owed him a logo. She got the sausage started in a pan, then set her laptop up on the counter and sat to do some work.
Willa came down, hair in a bun, yawning.
“You’re up early.”
Willa shot her mother a less than happy look. “Hard to sleep in when you and Aunt Harper are yelling at the top of your lungs.”
“I don’t know if it was quitethatloud, but sorry. There’s coffee.”
“You’re forgiven.” Willa grabbed a mug and filled it, then dosed it with creamer and sugar. She stuck the creamer back into the fridge, lingering a moment with the door open. “We’re a little low on supplies.”
“I know. We’re going to the store after our meeting.”
Willa shut the fridge, then turned around and leaned on the counter to drink her coffee. “How are you feeling about that?”
“Like I might throw up.” Frankie smiled. “I’ll be all right.”
“I’d be nervous, too. But listen—if she’s not what you thought she’d be, or she’s an awful person or whatever, that’s on her. Not you. You’re an amazing person and the best mom and nothing is going to change the way I or Jace feel about you. Okay?”
Frankie nodded and laughed to keep from crying. “Thanks, sweetheart. That means a lot.”
“You’re welcome. Can you pick up a few things for me at the store?”
“Sure. Like what?”
“Pop-Tarts. Brown sugar cinnamon if they have them. Big bag of green grapes. And could we have burgers some night? Not veggie or turkey, either, because I have a feeling that’s what Aunt Harper would pick. Beef. Please. And some sliced American cheese to go on them? Buns if we don’t have them.”
“I’ll put those things on the list. Anything else?”
Willa glanced at the cabinets behind her. “Is there any chocolate in the house?”
“I don’t know, but none I’ve seen.”
“Add a family-sized Hershey bar to that list then. And I do mean the big one. Like if you need help getting it into the cart, you’ve got the right size.”
