“Yeah, I’m just wondering exactly what to eat here. There are so many options.” She points at the meatloaf. “It’s been so long since I’ve had anything like this.”
I chuckle. “I’d say double up. Get some mac and cheese too, and the rolls.”
“Encouraging me to skip a salad?” She laughs. “Next you’re going to tell me to go for some whiskey.”
“I would never do Gunner’s job for him … but you should. Southern Comfort will do the trick.”
She laughs and nudges my foot. “Holden, anything catching your eye?”
He glances at the menu, then over to where Diana is still trying to keep Roman’s attention. Roman knows how to avoid a scene, but I’m sure his patience is as frayed as mine. I clear my throat. “Diana, what do you know about cob salad?”
She perks up, then jumps into explaining what the cob salad has in it. It earns Roman enough time to decide what he wants to order. When the waitress comes over, everyone orders their drink, and Diana sighs.
“So, is this a normal night for you all? Going out on the town to enjoy yourselves with excellent food and alcohol and partying?” Diana asks.
“Not always,” Roman says softly.
“We stay in, watch movies, play video games.” Sophie lists.
“Sophie makes amazing pancakes.” I chip in.
Diana beams. “She does, doesn’t she? It used to be the Saturday special.”
Just like that, Diana is eager to share about young Sophie, which makes Sophie drop between her shoulders, then eagerly drink her whiskey as it comes. She gulps it down until Roman shoots her a look. I brush the back of my fingers along the outside of her thigh.
“Easy, babe. We still have all of dinner to get through.”
“Please stop her before she busts out the baby photos. I can’t handle this much embarrassment.” She pouts up at me.
“Diana, tell us more about you. What have you been up to?” I ask as I clear my throat.
Roman glances at Holden, who sips from his red wine easily, not a care in the world. Diana tells us about her marketing career, her side hustle as a social media influencer who focuses on stock analysis. She hints at being interested in jumpstarting her personal life. Her home feels empty without Sophie there.
If Sophia was red when her mother was talking about how she used to catch lizards and hang them off her ears as a kid, she’s neon now.
“Sophie, you get it. You took time off boys, after your last relationship, and we had each other to keep us busy, but honestly, I miss coming home to another person and having plans once I’m done with work.” Diana admits.
She turns her eyes to Roman, but Roman’s watching Sophia carefully like he’s not sure what she’s thinking or what she’s about to do. He shifts his gaze when he feels Diana watching him, but I’m sure with her hyperfocus on him, she’s going to realize sooner rather than later that Roman – if none of the rest of us – is interested in Sophie.
I clear my throat and nudge Diana. “I’m sure it won’t be hard for you at all to find a person that makes you happy and is interested.”
“Awe, you’re sweet.” She pats my knee. “I think I know you from somewhere. You’ve been on magazines, haven’t you?”
“Just a few.” I shrug.
She flips her hair over her shoulder and bites her lip while looking up at me. “Well, I’m all ears.”