Page 5 of Falling for the Grumpiest Protector

My phone is still in my apron pocket. Mom. The thought comes back so suddenly that I sit straighter. I pull it out. Three missed calls. No voicemail. The laughter around me fades a little. Three? I tap Mom's name. The call begins to connect.

"Madison?"

I look up. Julian is watching me.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah."

The word comes too quickly. Before the call connects, Evan appears in the doorway.

"Chef?"

I lower the phone. "What?"

"There's a phone call for you," Evan says.

“For me?”

"Yes. On the main line. Host station."

"Who is it?"

"She said she's your mother."

Something cold moves through me. Julian's chair scrapes softly behind me.

My mother has never called this restaurant. Not in six years. Not when Lily had surgery four years ago. Not when Noah broke his arm. Not when Mom fell off a step stool trying to reach a Christmas box after I specifically told her to wait until somebody could help her. She calls my cell. She leaves messages. She waits. She does not call the restaurant.

I stand.

"Madison." Julian's voice is quiet.

"I'm fine." Nobody asked if I was.

I cross the dining room. The restaurant looks different after closing. Chairs slightly crooked. Candlelight extinguished. White tablecloths waiting to be stripped. A half-finished glass of wine abandoned at table fourteen. The phone sits behind the host stand. A tiny red light blinks beside line one.

And just like that, I'm standing in the moment that will divide my life into before and after.

I pick up the phone.

"Mom?"

Silence. Then I hear her breathe.

"Maddy."

My fingers tighten around the receiver.

"Mom, what's wrong?"

Her breath breaks.

"Mad."

My heart drops. That name belongs to Lily.

"Mom, what's wrong? Is it Lily? Where is she? What hospital? I can call the hospital. Actually, I'll come tonight. I can get a flight and be there by morning. Just tell me where she is and I'll..."