“In the kitchen,” he yelled back.
She found him frowning at the contents of the refrigerator.
“Close the door, please,” she said, setting down her handbag.
He laughed and complied, then walked over and gave her a bear hug.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, yourself.” She smiled up at him, because two years ago, Austin had shot past her in height. “Not that I don’t love seeing you, but why are you here?”
“I’m hungry.”
“I filled up your refrigerator less than a week ago.”
He released her. “The guys ate everything.”
She thought of all the groceries she’d bought. “I suspect not everything.”
“You’re right, but all the good stuff.” He slid onto a stool at the island. “Besides, I miss you, so I came by.”
“To stare into the refrigerator?”
“It helps me think.” Austin’s expression was hopeful. “Want to fix me some dinner?”
“You’re taking advantage of me,” she said, although without a lot of energy.
“I know, and I feel bad about it. Part of the problem is my frontal cortex isn’t fully mature, so I don’t measure risk the same way I will when I’m twenty-five.”
“Ah, the lack of maturity defense.”
“It’s not a defense if it’s true. Please? I was out with a charter all day, and I’m starved.”
She tossed him a nectarine. “Eat this while I make dinner. It’ll be an hour.”
“You’re the best.” He bit into the nectarine. “Mind if I watch TV?”
“Help yourself.”
He walked toward the family room. She started the oven preheating, got a pot of water on the stove, then went to change out of her work clothes. Despite her teasing, she was happy to have company.
She returned to the kitchen and dropped pasta into the boiling water, then cut up raw chicken and some vegetables for a casserole. When the pasta was done, she drained it and put it in a large bowl with the chicken, veggies and Alfredo sauce cut with a little pasta water. Once the casserole was in the oven, she started on a salad and garlic bread. Austin wandered back.
“How’s work?” she asked when he resumed his seat at the island. “You still like the job?”
He glanced at her. “Do you really want to know, or is this heading into the ‘go to college’ conversation?”
She laughed. “Can it be both?”
“I guess. Oh, Harlow’s on a tear.”
She continued dicing tomato without reacting. “From what?”
“Dad’s dating Zafina. She’s—”
So Cord had finally told his daughter. “I know who she is. Someone at the club told me they were dating.”
“It’s not right. What was he thinking?”
When it came to women, Cord didn’t think. He acted, consequences be damned.
“He’s too old for her,” he added. “I don’t get it. What’s his plan? To make Harlow and Kip’s relationship all about him?”
“All good questions,” she said lightly. “Dinner in ten minutes.”
He got up and washed his hands. As he set the table in the kitchen, he said, “I’m glad you’re dating appropriately, Mom. I couldn’t take both of you doing weird stuff.”
“As long as we do it one at a time?”
He chuckled. “That would be great.”
She set the salad on the table. “Austin, we need to talk about the house.”
“Okay. What?”
“I want to sell it and buy something smaller.”
He looked at her expectantly. “And?”
“And that’s it.”
“Okay. I figured you’d be doing that. You never wanted to buy this place, and it’s huge. It’s gotta be expensive. I’m glad you kept it while I was in high school, but sure, now you want to sell.” He swallowed. “You’re still going to have room for me, right?”
“Yes. I will have room for you.”
“Then you should do it.”
“Harlow’s not happy. She wants to get married in the backyard and says I should keep the house until her wedding.”
He rolled his eyes. “Harlow needs to get over herself. She’s not the one who has to pay the mortgage. She’s my sister and I love her, but sometimes, she’s too entitled.”
Robyn pulled the casserole out of the oven. “You mean like letting your friends eat all your groceries, then expecting your mom to make dinner?”
He grinned. “Exactly like that.”
* * *
“I was a jerk,” Jase said when they were seated at the restaurant.
Robyn stared at him. “Interesting opening line.”
He gave her a self-deprecating smile. “I thought I’d state the obvious and see how it went from there.”
After his non-apology apology text, she hadn’t heard from Jase for a few days. Then this morning he’d texted her and asked her to meet him for dinner at a local seafood place.
She’d taken her time agreeing, not sure if there was a point to them continuing to see each other. No doubt the smart decision was to rethink their relationship—the only problem being she’d missed him enough to make her realize she wanted it to work out between them.
“Last time,” he continued. “When I was at your place. I know I was difficult.”
“Moody,” she offered helpfully. “And a little judgy.”
He looked at her without smiling. “Yes to both. It’s been a hell of a couple of weeks.”
He took one of her hands in his. “I lost a patient. She’s been in and out of the hospital. She’s had a couple of heart attacks.” He drew in a breath. “I can’t get into the details.”
“Of course not.”
“She died the day I came over. It hit me hard. I knew it could happen, but when it did, I wasn’t ready. Her family was devastated. She had eight grandkids.”
Regret filled her. “I wish you’d told me. I don’t need specifics, Jase, but some small amount of information would be very helpful.”
“I know. If it was just that, I would have been okay. But there’s more.”