Ceinlys, Iain and Mark looked at Vanessa. Jane and Hilary suddenly developed a fascination with the silverware.
Finally, Vanessa sighed. “Sorry, Shane. I’m just so worried for you.” She stole a quick glance at Ginger, then looked at him again. “I’ll try to be gracious.”
Shane pretended like he was considering it, then turned to Justin. “Think she can pull it off?”
“Oh, yes,” Justin answered with mock gravity. “I wouldn’t have married her otherwise.”
Their waiter came in to explain the seasonal specials. Shane took the opportunity to lean over to Ginger. “You all right?” he asked in a low voice.
“Fine. Thanks.” She gave him a small smile. “That was very…commanding of you.”
“You liked that? I can be commanding in other places too.” His gaze dropped to her lips.
She flushed. “Behave. We’re with your family.”
“So?” He grinned, then straightened. “I’ll have the seasonal special,” he told the waiter. He had no idea what it was, but it didn’t matter. It was going to be great.
* * *
The dinner went well from then on. The food at Éternité was to die for. Shane could see why it was such a success. Mark was a freaking genius, although he was sure tons of work had gone into creating a restaurant of this caliber.
He stared at the empty dessert platter. Red and purple berry sauces streaked the pristine white china. “Mom, would you disown me if I licked my plate?”
“I very well might,” Ceinlys said, arching an eyebrow. “I taught you better.”
“Gotta tell you, I’m tempted.” He licked his lips. “So tempted.”
“I’d give you mine,” Vanessa said, her tone serious. “But I’m eating for two now.” She patted her belly.
Justin pushed his dessert her way. Iain made a whip-cracking noise; Vanessa threw her napkin at him, then yelped when he snapped it out of the air and threw it back at her. The table dissolved into general mirth—although no more napkins were launched.
Shane relaxed against the back of his chair. This wasn’t as terrible as he’d thought it might be. Was it because his dad was missing? Or was it something else? His mother was different from what he’d expected. He’d thought she’d be demanding and stiff. Instead, she seemed warm and genuinely happy.
Maybe he’d been wrong to judge his family without giving them a chance.
His phone vibrated. He picked it up and saw the name Dane flash on the screen. What the… He’d left a message days ago, and he was getting a call back now? “Excuse me,” he said, then got up and went to the hall. “Took you long enough.”
“Unlike you, I actually have responsibilities,” came a cold voice. “Now that you’re home, I can cross ‘babysitting Shane’ off my list.”
Shane’s shoulders tightened. “Don’t strain anything with all this brotherly love.”
“Love has nothing to do with it. We’ve all been suffering at home over family dramas. It’s only right that you share in the pain.”
“Asshole.”
“Very original. Now if you’re done with the juvenile insults, I was calling to make sure you’re where you should be, and not lost somewhere in L.A.”
“I’m fine. I’m at Éternité right now.”
“Good. I can’t be there, so I’m sending you a Macallan Sixty Year Old in Lalique. I hope you haven’t lost your palate along with your memory.”
“I’m fine, and the memory’s starting to come back.” Not that he needed it to know that Dane was a dickhead. “Ginger’s been helping.”
“Tell her she can go now. My assistant’s going to set you up with Dr. Marsh.”
“Ginger’s not going anywhere. She’s my fiancée.”
“Ex-fiancée.”