“If you’re sure. I’d like that.”

Clara waved toward the waiter to bring another chair, but Christian kept his eyes focused on Tori. He was worried about her and it shook him to his core.

The waiter brought a chair and then returned with a plate of Tiramisu just as Clara’s phone buzzed on the table.

She picked it up, crinkled up her nose, looked at the dessert, and then set her napkin on the table.

“I have to go. Warner just texted and said they have our interview set up early and want to get started. I have to head back to the offices.”

“Good thing you’re on the right street,” Christian said giving her a wink knowing Warner had texted her on his behalf. He owed him now.

“Chris, pick up the tab, will ya. Don’t make my guest pay.”

“Oh, no. That’s…”

“I got it,” he shut down Tori’s protest.

Clara gave them a nod and moved to hug Tori who stood. “Take care of yourself.”

“I will. Thank you for the talk.”

Clara smiled. “I’m here for you.” She kissed her on the cheek and walked past Christian slapping him on the back of the head.

He rubbed the sting and took the now vacant chair.

“I guess sisterly hugs are overrated,” he said. He was happy that Tori was smiling.

She sat back down and picked up her fork. “How did you set that up?”

“What’s that?” He asked picking up his fork and slicing off a bite of the dessert.

“Having Warner page her so she’d leave just as you walked in.”

He let the lady fingers melt against his tongue then swallowed hard. “You know me pretty well.”

“I guess I do.”

He noticed that brought a little bit of a spark to her eyes, which looked hollow. She put down her fork and sipped her water.

“You’re not done with this are you?” He asked taking another forkful of the dessert.

“I’m fairly full already.” He watched as she took her napkin and wiped her brow.

“Are you feeling okay?”

She sipped her water again. “Yes. I think I’m catching something.”

He took another bite and then cleared his throat. “Is Scott around? Is he taking care of you?”

She shook her head as if she wasn’t bothered by his question. “He’s been busy and out of town a lot. I’m fine. I might have Sonia hold on to the kids for me so I can rest tomorrow.”

It was instinctive as he reached his hand across the table and rested it atop of hers. “If you need help I’m always a phone call away. I can even watch the kids.”

Her eyes widened and he knew what she was thinking—and he was tired of her thinking it.

“I’m sorry I ever told you I wasn’t ready to be someone’s dad. But I can handle kids for a few hours to give you a break. Okay?”

She considered him before nodding.

“Okay, well you call me if I can help.”

“I will.”

They made small talk until the waiter brought the bill and Christian paid it, as his sister had insisted.

He walked her out to her car and opened the door. “Thank you for lunch. Tell your sister I had a nice time and thank her for the passes into the concert.”

He grinned. “Were you using my sister?”

“Not at all.” Her cheeks blushed. It gave her a nice glow which made her look better than the pale sickly color she’d had in the restaurant.

When she’d climbed into her car and put the keys in the ignition he’d considered bending down to kiss her. The feeling was nearly overwhelming. Instead, he closed the door, stood back, and watched her drive away.

~*~

Victoria sat at Sonia’s kitchen table as the sound of children’s laughter enveloped her.

“What are they doing?”

“Playing dress up.” Sonia handed her a glass of sweet tea and sat down across from her. “How was your lunch?”

“It was wonderful. I miss Clara.”

“And how is Chris?”

Victoria narrowed her glare on her best friend. “Why do you ask?”

“C’mon. If he knew you were with his sister he’d make an appearance.”

She felt her cheeks heat and by the smile that formed on Sonia’s lips she knew it showed.

“He stopped by. Clara made him buy lunch as she was called out for an appointment.”

“Set up by Chris?”

She nodded and then blew out a breath when her stomach suddenly didn’t feel so well.

“You okay?”

“I just don’t feel well.”

“You haven’t felt well in weeks. The kids seem fine.”

She nodded. “I think I’m just worn out and going to that wedding made me get all worked up. I haven’t slept a full night since.”

“You can take a nap here if you’d like.”

She shook her head. “I’ll be fine.”

Sonia laughed at her. “You act like I did when I was pregnant with the kids. Well, come to think about it I feel that way now too. I’m just always exhausted.”

“I guess I didn’t get the nine months for each of them to acclimate. I was just thrown into all-nighters with a crying girl who misses her mommy and daddy and a little boy who is an escape artist and shows up at my beside.”

Sonia laughed again. “You did block the stairs with that gate I gave you, right?”

“Of course.”

“Good.”

She visited with Sonia for a while longer before getting the kids ready and heading home for another night of Brave and the requested chicken nuggets. But Sam had promised that if he had chicken nuggets he’d also eat some broccoli. She hoped he was a man of his word.

Luckily, Victoria had been reprieved of having to eat the nuggets when Scott showed up with Chinese food.

“You’re a saint,” she said as she put a piece of pork in her mouth.

“You were looking too skinny. You need substance.”

She laughed, but she knew she’d lost some weight since she couldn’t seem to eat much. Perhaps she had PMS, though she usually gained five pounds and wasn’t so sick.

Victoria sipped her water from the bottle which Scott had brought with the dinner. In her head she was making a mental calculation and working on a mental calendar. When was her last period? They’d been wonky since the accident with all the medications and surgeries, but she couldn’t even remember the last time she’d had one.