Page 9 of Their Stormy Reunion

“She’s here to help out at home,” Michael jumped in. “She had to close up her office in Chicago.”

I frowned at him. How did he know that?

“Well, isn’t that something?” Pearl said sarcastically.

“Give it a rest,” Michael murmured.

She shot him a look of surprise. So did my parents. Hell, so did I.

“Bob, what was I thinking? Let me get you a seat.” Pearl smiled at Dad. It was a genuine smile, one that she shared with Mom.

Dad had to lean on Michael to make it to a booth, where he dropped down with a groan. Mom slid in beside him, which left me sitting next to Michael. His big body took up a most of the space, and I found our shoulders pressed against one another.

I hated it.

I loved it.

“Holly will be here to get your orders, but in the meantime, what can I get y’all to drink?” Pearl asked as she handed out menus.

“I’ll have a strawberry shake,” Dad piped up.

“Bob, are you sure?”

Dad glowered at my mother. “I’m sure, Isla.”

“How about you, Isla?” Pearl asked.

“I’ll have an iced tea,” Mom said.

Pearl glanced at me.

“Same.”

“Michael?” Pearl’s voice was as sweet as the tea would be.

“Dr. Pepper.”

“Coming right up.” Pearl looked around the table and smiled at everyone but me. Which was fine. At least I knew where I stood.

My hands were clenched on the red Naugahyde on either side of me. I jumped when Michael closed his hand over the one next to him. I felt the same old spark run up my arm. It was the same hand that had promised me the world, then cruelly yanked it away. I wasn’t sure if the sparks were fury… or something far worse. I pulled away and glared at him.

“It’s going to be okay,” he whispered.

“What?” my dad asked.

“Michael was asking what I was going to order.”

“Chicken fingers with honey mustard and tater tots,” my mom spoke up. I looked at her in surprise. She had a stricken look on her face. Like she had taken the Lord’s name in vain.

Great, just great. Mom remembering my favorite meal at Pearl’s was some kind of sin.

I feel the love.

This time Michael just stroked his thumb over my fist. I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t. I didn’t want to see his pity. Or worse yet, I couldn’t bear to see understanding and empathy like in the old days.

This was going to be the longest meal of my life.

Chapter Three