When I tried to slip to the side, he caught the back of my pants and plastered a bright smile on his face. He dragged me behind him. “Hi, Mrs. Carmella.”

The business skirt turned and melted. The soft spot she had for him was obvious. Her hand rested on her throat in a delicate way. “Adam! How nice to have you here. You’ve brought your friends for the lunch we discussed?”

I dug my feet in. It didn’t matter. Adam lifted me over the last few feet and hugged me to his side. “Sure did and thank you for letting us eat here.”

“Oh, Adam! Your friends are my friends. It’s on the house. Your friends must order anything they want. I’ll make sure you have your own chef and two servers as well.” She turned to the sidekick with the briefcase. “Anderson, you’ll see to that?”

He clipped his head forward in a nod and pivoted as he left.

I expected a small salute but was disappointed when he didn’t.

Then her eyes swept over me. “And who is this? Is this a special friend?”

“Indeed it is!” Adam’s seemed to be laughing as he pried my hands from his arm. I had a death grip on him. “This is Samantha Strattan.”

“Oh, of course!” Her hand jutted towards me. “You’re David’s daughter? I’ve heard so many wonderful things about you. We are proud to have David as a member here. You must come and enjoy the facilities. Adam, you will bring your friend here more often?”

“Samantha!”

A female voice called out over the room, and I cursed under my breath. Then I snuck a glance up and saw Garrett frozen in place. A dark look was in his depths, but he couldn’t blink to cover it. The female beside him cast a concerned look up before she frowned at me. Then Malinda arrived in a frenzy of energy.

She threw her wrap over her shoulder and dazzled. “Carmine, I must speak with you before I leave today. You are a difficult woman to get a hold of.”

“I’ve been in New Zealand for the fall.” Mrs. Carmella’s smile was strained. Her eyes jetted from me to Malinda and back again. A question loomed over her.

I sucked in my breath.

Her mouth opened.

The question was coming.

And then Mark groaned behind us, “Mom, what are you doing here?”

Malinda turned with a warm tone in her laugh. She threw her arms out and engulfed him. She pulled his head down to her shoulder and patted the back of it twice before she released him. Then she reached up and straightened some of his hair. As she moved to his shirt, she laughed in another carefree note. “You know me, Mark. I have to treasure these moments with you.”

His eyes became alarmed. “Mom?”

She linked her elbows with his and beamed at the group. “I’m having lunch with my son and his friends. Isn’t that darling? Sam, you’re attending as well?”

“Uh…” My limbs were still frozen.

Then Malinda snapped to attention. Her eyes shifted over my shoulders. “And Garrett, you as well? That would be glorious. I could call David and we could have a mini-family luncheon? That sounds delicious, doesn’t it?” She patted Mark on the cheek. “What do you think, honey?”

He reddened in the face. “Mom. You’re embarrassing me.”

Then she withdrew her arm and her laughter raised a notch. “I’m just kidding. You know I’d never embarrass you like that.” Her sharp eyes swept to Adam. “I’m here to meet your mother, Adam. I told you that this morning, didn’t I?”

He had frozen as well and choked out, “Uh…no…”

Malinda winked at him and leaned forward to whisper behind her hand, “She wants to talk about you returning home. Don’t worry, honey. I have your back. Always.” Then she leaned forward and smacked a kiss to his cheek before she did the same to Mark. Both had their mouths open, but Mark groaned and hurried away.

Malinda laughed as she watched his retreating back. “He acts all aghast of me, but that boy is his mother’s pride and joy. We’re a good unit, the two of us.” Her eyes lingered on Carmine for a moment. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

And Mrs. Carmella shook her head. She jerked herself out of her surprise. “Uh, yes, of course, Malinda. We should have lunch sometime.”

“Tomorrow. At eleven.”

“Oh.” She blinked a few times.

Malinda’s voice could’ve melted sugar. “Unless you’re busy….again.”

“No, no.” Mrs. Carmella forced out a smile. “I’m not, never for you. Tomorrow at eleven it is.”

“I’ll see you here then!” Malinda whisked from the group but not before kissing my cheek and patting my hand. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Samantha. I’ve missed you this week.”

When she had left, the group was silent for a moment. Then Mrs. Carmella forced out an awkward laugh. Her smile was tense as she scanned the group. “That was Malinda Decraw, Bella. She’s one of the founding families for this club.”

The woman pulled her hand from Garrett, who had yet to meet my gaze, and nodded. She folded her hands together in front of her and spoke in a timid voice, “So I should be very nice to her?”

Carmine’s laugh had a harsh, high-pitch to it. “You could say that. Now, if you all will excuse me. Adam, I’ll be in to welcome your friends to the club, though I think all of their families are members.”

He nodded. “Always good to be gracious.”

“Yes, of course, dear.” She looked away, distracted. “Excuse me again.”

When she left, Adam wasn’t far behind. He gave me a curious look before he disappeared in a back room and I was left alone with Garrett and Bella. I took a deep breath.

Then Garrett gutted out, “All we need is James and Analise to make an appearance. I should assume they’re guests as well?”

I looked down. I hadn’t expected the hostility that spewed from him. “Uh, yeah. I don’t think they come, though.”

“Of course.” A bitter laugh ripped from him. “This place is probably beneath them.”

“I…”

But it didn’t matter. He strode away and out the door. His shoulders were stiff and his jaw was clenched. Then Bella held a hand to me. She gave me a soft smile. “You’re his daughter, aren’t you?”