“You gotta be careful.” Tucker rubbed his palm into Derek’s hair. “You’re stronger than you realize.”
Derek moved to him next and hugged him.
Mom walked over to me, flinching when she spotted Cleo beside me, like she hadn’t expected her to join us. “Honey, I can’t believe this is happening. We’re all having lunch together, and we haven’t done that in so long.”
“I know, Mom.” She always made me feel so guilty. “But we’ll get to do this all the time.” I hugged her and kissed her on the cheek.
She approached Cleo next. “It’s so nice to see you, dear. I didn’t realize you were joining us.”
“Deacon invited me.” She extended her hand.
My mother ignored it and pulled her in for a hug.
Tucker shifted his gaze to me, giving me a meaningful look.
I didn’t understand the stare, so I ignored it.
Tucker rested both of his hands on Derek’s shoulders, standing behind him. “Cool shirt, man. You guys went to the planetarium yesterday?”
“Yep.” He tilted his head back so he could look up at his uncle. “Dad, Cleo, and I all got matching shirts.”
“Awesome.” Tucker raised his gaze and looked at me again.
“What?” I asked bluntly, confused by the attitude.
He never answered.
We sat at the table, Derek at the head next to me, while Cleo sat on my other side.
My mom was smitten with Derek, her pride and joy. “Tell me everything about the planetarium.”
Derek immediately rambled on, talking her ear off.
Tucker kept looking at me.
Cleo’s eyes were down at her menu.
I suddenly realized why it was weird, because Cleo and Tucker probably hadn’t seen each other since they’d broken it off. Honestly, I’d totally forgotten they ever dated. It had left my mind completely.
Cleo raised her chin. “I’m getting the waffle. What about you?”
Tucker picked up the menu. “Probably the Cobb salad.”
She nodded. “Mine sounds a lot better.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, it does.”
I watched their interaction, which seemed to be pretty smooth.
Derek kept telling my mother about the planetarium.
“So, how are you?” Tucker asked. “Anything new with you?”
“Just work,” she said. “You?”
“Same,” he answered. “I was working mornings only, but since it’s our high season, my hours are all over the place.”
“Mine too,” she answered.
I looked at the menu.
Cleo turned to me. “What are you getting?”
“The sautéed kale bowl.”
Derek made a face when he heard that. “Dad, I don’t have to get that, right?”
“Of course not,” my mother said. “Get whatever you want, sweetheart.”
Derek immediately grinned. “I love you, Grandma.”
She chuckled. “Aw, I love you too.”
I turned to Cleo, rolling my eyes slightly.
She smiled back. “Grandmothers are supposed to spoil their grandkids.”
“And make me look like the bad guy,” I said.
Tucker watched us, drinking his iced tea with his eyes glued to our interaction.
After we ordered our food, we settled into small talk, my mother talking about her experiences living in Manhattan. Before the food came, Cleo excused herself to the restroom.
Whenever Derek was with people he knew well, he wouldn’t stop talking, so he said every thought that came to mind, knowing his grandmother would eat up every single word.
Tucker stared at me. “So…spending time with Cleo?”
Mom turned to our conversation. “She’s a lovely girl, Deacon. Very beautiful.”
Maybe bringing her along was a bad idea. Whenever Cleo joined us, she fit perfectly, and I never thought otherwise until my family hit me with questions. I grabbed my iced tea and took a drink.
Mom continued to stare at me, as if she’d asked me a question.
Tucker had the same look.
“Well?” Mom pressed.
“Well, what?” I asked, thoroughly confused.
“Why is Cleo here?” she asked.
“What kind of question is that?” I countered, angry. “I didn’t realize we were such an exclusive family.”
“No,” Mom said. “We love Cleo, Deacon. Just…is she here for business or pleasure?”
It was another weird question. “She’s my friend.”
Mom exchanged a look with Tucker.
Tucker shook his head, like he was answering a question she hadn’t asked.
Cleo returned a moment later. “I’m so excited for that waffle…”
As if the waiter had heard her, he brought the plates of food and set them down in front of us.
Derek had chocolate chip pancakes, taking advantage of his grandmother to get whatever he wanted. There was a big dollop of whipped cream on top. Cleo’s food looked similar.
We started to eat, Derek getting melted chocolate all over his face.
“Derek.” I held up his napkin. “Come on, manners.”
He took the napkin and wiped his face, but he kept eating like a dog.
“Leave him alone,” Mom said. “Let the boy eat.”
Derek grinned and took another bite.
Cleo chuckled.
My mother turned to her next. “Cleo, do you want to have children?”
I dropped my fork onto my plate. “Mom.” I glared at her, knowing exactly what she was doing.
“What?” she asked innocently. “She’s great with Derek, so I was curious…”
Cleo didn’t seem to mind. If she did, she hid it well. “Yes. I want a family someday.”