She moved around the table and Laurie stood to greet her. Before she could speak, Susan’s arms wrapped around her, squeezing so hard Laurie felt like a boa constrictor’s prey. At last, her death grip loosened and the air rushed back into Laurie’s lungs.
“I didn’t hug you earlier, love,” Susan told her, as if it were a heinous crime. “Finn forbids me to hug the employees in his building.” Her eyebrows danced a mischievous jig. “But outside the building, they’re fair game.”
Balancing the baby in one arm, Finn stood to receive his hug. “No need to break my neck, Mum. We’ve only been apart for a few hours.”
“Sorry I was gone so long, but that loo was the bees knees.”
“What did she say?” Laurie asked.
“She means it was the best bathroom ever,” Katie explained.
“So many soaps and lotions to choose from—I had to try them all.” Susan stretched her wrist under Katie’s nose. “This one has a lovely ginger and mint flavor.”
“Nice,” said Katie.
Susan eyed Laurie. “Your dress is simply smashing. I love red.”
“Thank you,” Laurie replied, thinking it was a similar shade to Susan’s hair.
“Who was that couple you were taking to?” asked Katie.
“Bill and Kelly Moore,” said Susan. “We only just met. Had to stop and admire his lovely bowtie. It came from a shop near here. Isn’t that jolly lucky? I’m going to pick one up for your father tomorrow.”
“Does Dad need another bowtie?” Finn asked.
“Maybe not. But a man can never have too many ties, like a woman can’t have too much chocolate.”
Susan didn’t slow her diatribe when the waiter arrived to pass out the menus, simply working him into the ongoing conversation. He struggled to give his description of the daily specials, finally jumping on a brief lull when Susan took a breath.
Laurie enjoyed the rapid, friendly banter, grateful none of the attention was aimed at her. But after giving their dinner orders, Susan soothed her throat—which must’ve been getting raw from overuse—with a swallow of water, then set her glass down and gazed expectantly at Laurie.
“I’m so glad to finally meet you, love. We want you to know you’re a welcome addition to our family.”
“Please excuse my mother, Laurie. She’s insane.” Finn narrowed his eyes at Susan. “This is why I didn’t want to introduce Laurie to my family. I told you we just started dating.”
“It’s true, Mum,” Katie affirmed. “They don’t even know each other well. For instance, Finn didn’t realize Laurie was an accomplished pianist until tonight.”
“Katie…” Finn growled a warning.
Susan gasped, her face alight with pleasure. “A pianist? How marvelous.”
“I’m not that great,” Laurie corrected, embarrassed after learning how talented Finn was.
“I’m sure you’re being modest, Laurie.” Susan clapped her hands together and a let dreamy expression wash over her face. “How perfect! I bet you love playing his Steinway.”
“She’s never played it,” Katie asserted. “He hasn’t even invited her to his place.”
Susan’s mouth dropped open as she gaped at her son. “Why ever not?”
Finn shot Katie a dirty look before answering his mother. “We haven’t had the opportunity yet.”
“We’ll go tonight,” Susan announced with an air of finality. “It’s a shame for that beautiful piano to sit, unused.”
“I still play,” Finn defended, though his mother ignored him.
Laurie was quite certain she wouldn’t be able to swallow a bite of food if she was expected to play the piano after dinner. She’d had terrible stage fright at all her recitals. “I think I’d rather hear Finn play.”
“Then it’s settled,” said Katie. “We’ll all head over to Finn’s as soon as we finish eating, and he can serenade us.” She quickly grabbed her water glass and lifted it to her lips but didn’t succeed in camouflaging her grin.