Lacey groaned and came toward the island. “Fine. Yes, I had a…date. I guess I like him. And, uh, yeah, I will see him again. I think.”
Tessa crossed her arms, proud of herself. “I totally knew it. You should never play poker, Lace. You’re the worst liar.”
Lacey winced. “Really?”
“That’s a good thing.” Tessa dropped onto a barstool, spinning it around and propping her elbows on the counter, chin on knuckles. “Tell me about him.”
“Tessa! Why does it matter so much?”
“Because I’m bored, haven’t had a date in a thousand years, and you look like this was fantastic with a capital fan.” She waved her hand around the island and gestured to the next stool. “Come, sit, spill the tea until I’m drowning in it.”
On a huff, she came and sat down. “Well, it was…”
Before Lacey could finish, Vivien walked in through the side door, grocery bags in her arms.
“Who taught my mother how to text?” she asked. “I got sixteen messages at Publix. Apparently the Bolognese was such a success, they’re trying their hand at stroganoff tonight.”
“Do you need help with the bags, Mom?” Lacey asked, already up and obviously looking for an escape.
“Not so fast.” Tessa snagged her T-shirt sleeve. “Now you have to spill to both of us.”
“Spill what?” Vivien asked, unloading the bags. “And, no, I don’t need help. This is everything.”
“Lacey’s been on a secret lunch date that lasted…” She glanced at her watch. “Many hours.”
Vivien’s eyes widened. “You met someone? How?”
“On an app,” Tessa answered for her. “His name is Romeo.”
“No!” Vivien gasped.
“It’sRoman,” Lacey said with an exasperated laugh. “Not Romeo.”
“I like Romeo,” Tessa joked, sliding off the stool to help Vivien with the groceries. “And, apparently, so does your daughter, because she’s been stammering and blushing since she walked in the door.”
“I didn’t even know you were on the dating apps, Lace,” Vivien said.
“I did.” Tessa gave a smug smile. “See? She’s more my daughter than yours.”
Vivien shot a playful dirty look. “Fine. But I get to wear the mother-of-the-bride dress.”
“Have at it,” Tessa said. “I’ll do the toast, ’cause I’m funnier.”
“I can?—”
“Stop!” Lacey exclaimed, holding up a hand and looking truly troubled.
Instantly, their smiles disappeared and Vivien put an arm around her. “Honey, we’re just having a little?—”
“No, no. Just…don’t.” She exhaled, visibly upset. “It’s not funny.”
Vivien squeezed her. “I’m sorry, Lace. We won’t tease you about him.”
Tessa just smiled. She might tease her, but only because this reaction? The girl had it bad.
“Okay, I’ll tell you about him, but don’t…we’re not getting married, okay?”
“You never know,” Tessa murmured.
