Before she could say any more, Mom called us for dinner. We both stood, and she wiped a tear from her cheek as I grabbed her glass.
“You’re a great woman, Gretchen, and if Scott doesn’t make you happy, then do something about it.” I handed her glass back to her.
“Thank you. Are you happy?” She looked at me with hopeful eyes. “I mean with Lucy. She makes you happy, doesn’t she?”
“She does. Very much so.”
She tilted her head, examining me. “You love her.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. We’ve only known each other a few weeks.” But did I?
Gretchen gave me a sad smile. “Just remember, our hearts don’t come with a clock or calendar. Love isn’t a planned event. It just shows up unannounced, even when you don’t want it to.”
Impressed, I stared at my little sister. “Thank you, Yoda.”
“No problem, Obi Wan.” She laughed. “Come on, enough of this mushy stuff. Let’s go eat.”
Was Gretchen right? All I knew was I wanted to know more about Lucy than where she was born and what college she attended.
Conversation was lively around the dinner table, although since it was a Friday, it was a smaller group than what showed up for Sunday dinners. Tonight it was just Gretchen and me with our parents, but we enjoyed ourselves.
When the conversation turned to the Memorial Day weekend and Dane’s golf tournament, they were happy that I asked Lucy to join us.
“Lucy is such a sweet woman.” Mom smiled as she passed a bowl of salad to my father. “We had a wonderful talk the last time she was here.”
“Yes, you two looked cozy in the library.” I said it more as a question than a statement, because I never did find out what they talked about. When I’d asked about it, the only response I’d gotten from Lucy was, “Girl time.” And this time wasn’t any different.
“That poor girl doesn’t have a family. I’m sure you know that, though.” Mom looked at me and my dad, and Gretchen didn’t say a word.
“I don’t know the entire story,” I said, “but you’re right. She said she doesn’t have anyone.”
Gretchen glanced around at us, compassion on her face. “I couldn’t imagine that.”
My father cleared his throat. “I know I’ve only seen you two together that one time, but you seem happy when you’re with her.”
“I am.”
Mom smiled at me, and Gretchen winked from across the table.
It was the truth—I was truly happy, and I had Lucy to thank for that. For once in my life, I was thinking about something else other than my career.
No, not something. Someone.
CHAPTER 13
Lucy
It had been way too long since I’d seen Drake, over a week, but we were going to rectify that tonight. Just when I became available, he was called out of town for a few days, but tonight he was coming over. I couldn’t wait to see him again.
After I dressed in my best jeans, a cute floral top that dipped low in the front, and my navy sandals to finish off the outfit, I checked myself in the mirror for a final inspection. We were going out to a small Italian restaurant in Herndon that I loved.
When my doorbell rang, I practically pranced across my living room. I swung the door open and Drake scooped me up in his arms to spin me around. I couldn’t contain my giggle.
I finally swatted him on his shoulder. “You’re making me dizzy!”
He chuckled and set me down. “Let me look at you.” He took my hands in his and stretched them out to the sides. “I think you’re even more beautiful than the last time I saw you.”