Mallory’s heart clenched at the sight, how effortlessly her husband took the lead with Maybelle. She was one lucky lady, and she planned on showing Beckett how lucky when they managed a moment alone.
“She’s going to be peachy. Let’s eat.” The lie slipped off her tongue so easily, Mallory could almost believe it.
At the table across from them, Alice, James, Addison, and Chloe animatedly discussed the happenings in New York.
James speared a carrot with his fork and asked, “So, Chloe, you’re still enjoying the nonprofit?”
Chloe sipped from her wine and nodded, cheeks pink from the libations. “Yes, I really do. I won’t lie, there’s moments I wonder why I gave up serving and bartending.” She chuckled at Addison’s expression. “But I knew I needed something beyond waiting tables. It was a good gig, but I was never around for Addy’s events, and the hours were killing me. Now I get to help people and have more time for this one here.” She tipped her head toward Addison before sneaking a roasted potato from her plate.
Addison pretended to be outraged by the food theft, but that didn’t last long. She reached out and smoothed back Chloe’s collar, pulling her close for a chaste kiss. “I won’t lie, I’m loving your new schedule. Although I do miss the hook-up for free dim sum.”
“Did the restaurant close?” James asked, already frowning at the loss of his beloved dumpling spot in New York. It had been a favorite place of his and Addison’s when they both lived in the city. He’d loved it for the food, and Addison had loved it for her favorite waitress. After one too many visits without making a move, Addison had left her phone number on a receipt, and the rest was history.
Chloe shook her head. “No. Believe it or not, restaurants can continue operating when one of the servers leaves.”
Alice grimaced. “Let’s hope, otherwise Helen retiring will end the diner as we know it.”
“You need to let it go!” Helen barked from three tables away. She winked before turning back to a very fascinating story Mayor Josh was telling about a time in college when he sweet-talked his buddy out of a speeding ticket.
Meanwhile, the kids had taken over the corner booth. Otis and Henry were involved in a ham eating contest while Josie and Madeline made a Jenga set from a collection of sugar packets.
Mona and Harold shared a table with Trudy, Mayor Josh, Helen, Donna, and Steven. While none of them were where they expected to be this Christmas, they could not deny they were in a pretty good place. Plus, Mona was enraptured by Josh’s storytelling abilities. Harold privately wondered if the kid was old enough to vote for himself, let alone run the town.
Max turned up the music, so Bing Crosby could serenade them over dinner. Ginny took his hand and ushered him back to his seat so he could enjoy the fruits of his labor. “This is all delicious. I think you and Evan outdid yourselves.”
Anthony and Natalie slid across from them, their plates stacked embarrassingly high. “No arguments here. I only wish I would have worn my sweatpants so I could eat more.” Natalie wore a red dress that fit her curves and flared out just below her knees. Despite the falling snow, she’d worn a favorite pair of kitten heels to finish off her festive ensemble.
“Yeah, right. I’m calling BS on that one, Nat. Your sweatpants haven’t seen the light of day in eons.”
Natalie pursed her lips a moment before agreeing. “Yeah, you’re right. There’s also no way I wouldn’t take any excuse to show off my festive dress.” She shimmied in her seat, earning a stolen kiss from Anthony.
“You’re gorgeous,” he assured her, reaching under the table to squeeze her knee.
“This is the perfect send-off to this place,” Ginny said through a mouthful of ham. Max let out a shuddering breath but nodded. “I don’t want to be a wet blanket,” she assured the table, hoping her voice didn’t waiver, “it’s just that we’ve had some wonderful moments here. I know we’ll reopen again, but it won’t be exactly the same.”
Max quipped, “Yeah, the booths won’t be lumpy and the counters won’t be cracked.”
Anthony gestured with his fork. “I personally love the lumps.”
“I’m with Ginny,” Natalie said, nudging her husband aside so she could steal his dinner roll. “This is perfect.”
“You’re all right. It’s a little bittersweet, but it’s also time. Not everything can stay the same. Isn’t that right, Representative Snyder?”
Everyone laughed and went back to discussing the food.
Natalie had managed to stay distracted for a few minutes, and Ginny, Max, and Anthony didn’t notice how often her gaze kept sneaking off to CeCe’s booth. She was nibbling on her dinner, and Evan didn’t seem concerned. When her gaze reached Mallory, both women rolled their eyes. Apparently they were the only two worried about the mother-to-be.
By the time everyone cleaned their plates, it was time to bring out the desserts. Max joined Evan at their table, and asked, “Can I borrow you a minute to grab all the pies and cookies?”
CeCe held up a hand. “I want to help. I went to all that trouble and, frankly, my feet are asleep.”
Evan took her hand as she slid free from the booth. “I’ll help you up, but you’re not stepping foot in that kitchen. Stretch your legs, but relax. We’ve got this.”
CeCe whined, “But I hate being so helpless.”
Max snorted. “CeCe, you baked two pie crusts and made cheesy bites. You’ve already done too much.”
“Yeah, yeah.” CeCe huffed as she shuffled toward the kitchen door. Just as she stepped behind the counter, she doubled over, clutching her belly and letting out a low moan.
