The line for the valet was huge when I arrived five minutes before I was supposed to meet Joby and my parents for lunch. I hated being late for anything, but especially when Mother was involved.

It would just be another thing to make her frown at me, not to mention my casual dress, denim jacket, and boots. A pink dress. What was I thinking? It was as though I wanted to give Mother things to pick at. I could imagine her pinched expression as she said something about pink not being flattering with auburn, but on a blonde, it's lovely.

I didn't consider my sex-hair bun. If I focused on it, there was a solid chance I'd cry or drive away, leaving Joby to handle them on his own. That probably wasn't the best way to restart our siblings-who-are-also-friends, relationship.

With a deep breath, I reminded myself I looked cute. Beautiful, according to Andre. Thinking of him brought a boost of confidence and brightened my outlook for the day.

Yes, lunch would be uncomfortable at best, and an embarrassing and hurtful scene at worst. But after that, I'd go home and prepare for my date with Andre and Laurel. Even though my job there was to see what I thought of Enzo, I was excited.

Crossing my fingers, I hoped the early lunch crowd on a Friday was a little less fancy than the pictures I'd seen online for the restaurant. Maybe other women would be recovering from an amazing night of almost no sleep.

As a young valet dressed in all black helped a tiny older woman amble toward the hotel, my blood pressure spiked. It was sweet of him, but I needed to be walking in there too! Someone move her car!

There wasn't enough time to wait. When I spotted a space across the road, I decided to be a big girl and brave parallel parking on the busy street.

Peering over my shoulder, I put the car in reverse and inched toward the person behind me, hoping they'd give me enough room to get out of the line. A loud knock from the passenger side made me squeal. Clutching my chest, I glared at the window and my brother peeking inside.

He pointed at the lock, and I let him in with a sigh. "I'm really glad I didn't need to pee, Joby. You scared me."

"You're late." Joby directed me around the line. "Back out and go that way. There are employee spaces beside the valet lot."

I did as instructed, but as I turned the corner, a gate with signs saying employees only beyond this point made me nervous. "Are you sure it's okay for me to be there?"

"Yeah, I cleared it with the hotel manager." Sarcasm dripped from his tone.

"Sorry. I forgot you run this little world."

Joby directed me to a spot beside an employee entrance. "Mom and Dad are at the table. I told them you had a work thing to handle, and you were using my office."

"They don't know I'm late?"

"Nope. I figured that wouldn't help anything."

We got out of the car and he led the way. I grabbed his arm and tugged him to a stop for a hug. "Thank you. Running behind had me so freaking stressed."

"No problem." He pulled away with a furrowed brow. "Why do you smell like cologne?"

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I ran my fingertips over my hair, making sure it was smooth leading up to the ponytail holder. "I had a date with Andre."

"And now you're blushing, so that was enough detail for me."

I wrinkled my nose at him and poked out my tongue. Joby ignored me and entered the building, leading the way down an empty hall. Our shoes tapped out a steady rhythm on the shiny marble floor as we passed an office with his name beside it.

"I'm glad you had fun, though," Joby said as we walked. "He always seemed like a good guy."

"He is! Maybe we could all go out together? Us with you and Nate, assuming your date went well last night?" I hadn't talked to Nate yet, but I really wanted them to work out, and judging by Joby's grin, it was fantastic.

"It was a nice night." He cut his eyes at me. "Not as nice as yours, but Nate's..." A dreamy look crossed his face, and he seemed to be at a loss for words.

I smirked. "Tell me about it. I knew I didn't have a chance, but he still gave me butterflies at first."

"Nate's charming without seeming to try."

"And thoughtful, and sweet, and an amazing friend." I whispered, "You told him you're not out at work, right?"

He grimaced. "Not yet."

"You live here." I scoffed and tried not to get too frustrated with him. "How long do you think you can hide it?"

"Liv, I'm going to tell him. It's just not a first date conversation."

"Don't wait forever."

He nodded and cut through a bustling kitchen where the aroma of seared meat and herbs made my mouth water. The few people who weren't too busy to notice us lifted their chins in greeting or called a hello.

My brother waved at them. "Smells fantastic in here. Great job, everyone."

Stopping in front of a set of swinging doors, he said, "This is the dining room. Ready?"

I blew out a slow breath and ran my hands over my outfit. "I guess so."

"Your clothes are fine." He swung the door open, waving me ahead of him. "Let's do this."

A gleaming rosewood floor held rows of round four seater tables, with a few bigger, rectangular ones lining one side of the room. Less than half were filled with customers enjoying the brunch menu. I took a relieved breath when I noticed a few plain dresses and even a stylish messy bun.

Our parents sat in a far corner with no one at the neighboring tables, and I was sure Joby had planned that for privacy. My pulse picked up as Mother's gaze found me. Giving myself a few more seconds before dealing with her, I scanned the tastefully luxurious space.

Teak wood with delicate designs carved into the top edge covered the walls. The only decorations were the minimalist gold and white chandeliers that hung from the ceiling and sconces that lined the room. It was bright and clean, but I imagined in the evening with the lights dimmed, it would become a more romantic atmosphere.

Dad grinned as soon as we were near. "Morning! I'm glad you both had time for lunch today with short notice."

I smiled and nodded, unsure how to respond. This visit was unprecedented, and I was leary of getting too comfortable. Dad was friendly, as always. Mother sat beside him quietly, with an unreadable, though not hostile expression. Hopefully, that meant she wasn't here to complain about the way we'd treated her.

"It's no problem. How was the traffic?" Joby pulled a padded dusty blue seat out for me before taking his own.

While the men chatted about the drive, as though this was a normal situation, I studied the crisp white table linen, and the understated centerpiece—a glass bud vase holding two white poinsettias and a sprig of tiny red berries.

"You look lovely today," Mother said.

It caught me off guard and I peeked up, expecting someone else to be standing by the table, but she was speaking to me. I couldn't remember the last time she'd complimented me when it wasn't about something she'd given me or told me to do.

"Thank you?" Confusion turned my statement into a question, but Mother was undeterred.

Nodding toward Joby, she said, "And of course, you're always handsome in a suit."

"Thanks." His voice didn't waver like mine had, but he adjusted his tie with a hint of self consciousness before adding, "You look nice too."

Until he mentioned her appearance, I hadn't paid her enough attention to notice, but she didn't look nice. I'd been so busy avoiding speaking to her that I hadn't seen how tired she seemed. Evidence of exhaustion marked her face in a way that even expensive makeup couldn't hide, and her usually ramrod straight posture drooped in the shoulders.

A waiter appeared to take our orders before I'd opened the menu, but I didn't want to drag whatever this was out any longer than it had to be, so when Mother ordered an arugula salad with grilled salmon, I said I'd have the same. Joby also requested a bottle of wine and ice water for the table, and I was thrilled someone thought to ask for alcohol.

With the waiter gone, we were alone again, and Dad cleared his throat. "I suppose I'll jump in."

Joby and I exchanged anxious glances before focusing on Dad. All I could think was, please don't make things harder on Joby. Whatever they had to say about me, I could take it. There'd be no more bending who I was into a shape Mother preferred.

Being there without dressing to Mother's usual standard was a step in the right direction—even though I hadn't had a choice. I wouldn't let her comments tear me down.

Dad spoke quietly. "Several things came to light over Christmas, some of which were upsetting to your mom and me, and because of that, we didn't handle it well."

Mother reached over to rest her hand on his forearm, and he stopped speaking. She straightened in her seat. "We've talked about all of it, the situation with Briar, pretending Nate was your boyfriend, and what you told us, Joby."

Pausing, she took a deep breath. "Jolivette, I truly only ever wanted you to be happy. I've realized the problem was thinking your path to happiness should be the same as mine when we're nothing alike."

Her jaw clenched, and my stomach twisted. Now she'd list her attributes and how I'd never measure up. Fine. Let her. I knew I was enough, even if I had to remind myself regularly.

"We were always so close, you were my little shadow. But then I felt you pulling away in high school. You barely spoke to me and then started even refusing to use the name I gave you. So, I grabbed on tighter." A genuine tremble in her voice surprised me, and Dad placed his hand on hers supportively, urging her to go on.

"When everything blew up, and you left, I was shocked. Of course I didn't know half of what you were going through until you were already gone. You didn't tell me.

"Once I thought you might be pregnant, I packed my bag. You were coming home, and I wasn't giving you a choice. But then Granny told me the truth." Mother stared at the table. "You never stopped confiding in her."

My jaw dropped. "So you knew there was no baby."

"Obviously." Her brow furrowed. "Did you think I'd ignore my grandchild?"

I didn't know what I thought. There were other things that bothered me, but some of the sour feeling in my stomach eased. Why hadn't Granny told me?

A phone conversation flashed in my mind. She'd tried to talk to me about Mother and I'd cut her off. I was too mad to listen, and we never discussed the rumors. All of that was off limits, so Granny probably assumed I had enough sense to put things together myself. It was almost funny. She gave me too much credit.

Mother shook her head. "Still, I gave it six months. I thought you'd come home, and I'd help you get yourself together. But you never needed me, and that hurt."

Of course I needed her. I was eighteen in a new city with no family, friends, or emotional support from anyone. Was she waiting for a written invitation? "Mother, I—"

She waved my words off. "It was selfish to let a bruised ego come between us. You came here under awful circumstances, and look at what you've done. You're so much stronger than me, and I'm proud of that."

My mouth fell open, and Joby leaned back with wide-eyed shock.

"You shouldn't rush just because I married young, and it was perfect for me. I was lucky to find the right man." She beamed at Dad. "One that sees my heart even when I have a hard time showing it."

He lifted her hand and kissed it. "Since these kids were born, they've been your world." Dad waved between Mother and me. "You two lost your way, but I knew you'd find it. I'm just sorry it took so long."

Mother nodded. "I've lost so much with you, Jolivette. Liv." She gave me a tight smile. "I'll never be able to make up for that, but I want to be a part of your life. Please. Your real life. Do you think we could start fresh?"

A strange sensation of weightlessness came over me. "I'd definitely like to try."

Her eyes became glassy. "Thank you."

She sniffed and bent to retrieve a tissue from her purse. After dabbing her face, she looked up at Joby and twisted the kleenex between shaking fingers. "I've always known things were strained between Jo—" She stopped herself. "Between Liv and me, but I thought we were close. So your announcement that I didn't know the most basic things about you broke my heart. I reacted to that and not what you told us."

"Have you always known?" Dad asked Joby.

Joby's brow furrowed, and he squeezed his hands together in his lap. "Yeah, since I was a kid, but I didn't really understand what it meant at first."

The waiter returned, and Joby stiffened in his seat. A slight shake of his head told us not to say anything.

Lowering a tray carrying our drinks and a basket of warm bread, the server asked if we'd like our wine glasses filled. The answer was a unanimous and emphatic yes.

Once we were alone again, Joby whispered, "I'm not out here, so please be careful of what you say."

Mother shifted closer. "As long as you understand, we don't care. We love you and want you to be happy with whoever you choose. Maybe you'll want to adopt one day?"

Joby's stupefied expression was hilarious. I wished I could take a picture.

She held her hands up. "I'm sorry. Don't answer that. There's no pressure."

Dad frowned. "You don't have to keep anything from us, neither of you, and I'm sorry you felt as though you did."

"It's really quite common now. You hear about—" Mother peered around before continuing in a quieter voice. "Your people constantly nowadays."

Joby raised his eyebrows. "Yep. We're everywhere."

I hid my grin behind my glass. At least she was trying to be supportive. It had to start somewhere. I sipped the expensive wine, glad to let Joby have the attention.

"A man working at the spa is a gay," Mother announced.

I choked on my drink and couldn't stop my giggle. Joby watched me with annoyance, and I said, "Hey, maybe you know him."

He arched a brow and Mother brightened at the possibility, making me laugh harder even as she gave me a bewildered look. Joby ignored me and shook his head. "I don't think so."

"Oh, well, that's too bad. He's very nice." Mother took a sip from her wine glass.

Two hours later, after a lot of talking, Joby and I waved goodbye to our parents. They were on their way to do some shopping before heading home.

I inhaled slowly. "I can't believe we were together that long, and I don't want to cry."

"It wasn't bad. Not comfortable exactly, but not uncomfortable."

"It was comfortable adjacent." I grinned and relaxed in my seat.

Joby chuckled. "Exactly."

After the first glass of wine, I switched to coffee, but I was still tired. "I have to get going too. Andre and I have a double date with Laurel tonight, and I'd like to squeeze in a nap first."

"I should get to work anyway. I'll walk you to your car."

He led the way through the kitchen and down the hall meant for employees. This time, when we passed his door, there were several notes stuck to it. Joby collected them and flipped through as we walked.

"Anything wrong?"

"Nah. Just a normal day."

"Good." I bumped my shoulder into his. "So, do you have any plans for New Year's Eve tomorrow?"

"Not yet. Why? Are you inviting me or searching for something to do?"

I giggled. "Inviting you, sort of. Laurel and I do something every year, but we don't have any actual plans yet. I'll be bringing Andre, unless he's busy. I'm sure you're welcome too. Maybe you and Nate can come?"

"It's hard to say for sure, since I don't know what I'm agreeing to, but that should be fine. I'll call Nate before I get started on this stuff." He waved the yellow notes.

"Awesome! It'll be great! Whatever it is."

He grinned and opened the exit beside my car, letting a blast of cool air into the building that wrapped my dress around my legs. I crossed my arms, holding my jacket closed as I dug my keys from my purse.

"I'll text you after I speak to him."

"Perfect. See ya!" I raced to my car and started the seat warmer before putting on my seatbelt.

This day was going much better than I'd expected. Hopefully, that would continue into the night.

What do we think of the parents now? 👀

It's almost double date time! Who's excited to go out with Laurel? 😆