Catching Summer (Second Chances #6)(39)

“You sure do know a lot of people, don’t you?” she asked, admiring the photos on our walls. Throughout the restaurant, I’d put up candid shots of the football team and some of their fans. I even had some of Mason Bradley, a local hero for being the best undercover detective and MMA fighter. He was a legend and had been Austin’s best friend.

Standing beside her, I smiled at a picture of Evan with his arms around two high school football players. I remembered that night. Those boys were ecstatic to get their picture taken with him. “They’re my friends. I have to say I never thought I’d be so lucky to know such a great group of people.”

She turned to me, holding out her hand. “Not many people can say that. You have a wonderful place here, Summer.” I shook her hand and walked her to the door.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay for the party?” I asked. “You can meet a lot of the football players.”

She chuckled. “I would love to, but I have a two-hour drive back home, and we both know how bad Charlotte traffic can get.”

I opened the door for her. “That I do. And again, thank you for coming out here. It’s an honor to know that we’ll be in your magazine.”

“It was my pleasure. Out of the fifteen years I’ve done this, I’ve never met any owners that were as down to earth as you and Grayson. It is refreshing.” Slipping on her sunglasses, she marched to her car and left.

“I think that went really well,” Lara said, bumping me with her shoulder.

“That it did. Thank you for being such a great help. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you.”

“What are sisters for?”

“Exactly.” Putting my arm around her, we waltzed back inside and started preparing for the party. We had lots of celebrating to do. “How long do we have left?”

Lara pulled out her phone. “Just a couple of hours before party time. I’ll check on the chefs to make sure they’re all ready to rock.”

“We’re all stocked back here,” Grayson called out from behind the bar.

Lara scampered off to the back just as I heard the front door swing open. The second I turned around, I was tackled by my mother, her arms wrapped tightly around my shoulders. I laughed and hugged her back. “It’s good to see you, too, Mom.”

My father walked in the door and waved. His gray hair was thinning and he’d lost weight since the last time I saw him, but he was still a handsome man. “Hey, pumpkin.” Then his gaze turned to Grayson. “How’s it going, Grayson?”

Grayson waved. “Can’t complain. It’s good to see you again, Mr. Jacobs. I have a bottle of Crown back here for you.”

My father grinned. “Good deal.”

My mother let me go and I rushed over to him. “I’m so glad you made it.” Keeping my arm around him, I turned to face my mother, who waved at Grayson before turning back to me. She, too, had lost some weight and looked better than ever. Her long, blond hair hung in soft waves down her shoulders and her face glowed with excitement. She was obviously happy with the change in me. I didn’t want her to worry about me. She’d done enough of that over the past few years. “Thank you for coming. You have no idea how much it means to me.”

With tears in her eyes, my mother smiled widely. “We wouldn’t miss it. Now, where’s your sister? I need to get on her for not calling me back. You girls need to start calling your parents more.”

Sheepishly, I sighed. “I know, I’m sorry. Things have just been crazy around here.”

“We know,” my father added. “We’ve seen the pictures in the paper. Why didn’t you tell us you were dating a football star? Not to mention one such as Evan Townsend.”

I squeezed my father’s shoulders and let him go. “It’s a long story, and I’ll be happy to tell you later. You’ll get to meet him tonight.” His gaze twinkled mischievously. “And don’t scare him off,” I warned him. “I know how you liked to give Austin a hard time.”

He chuckled. “I’m your father. It’s my right to scare your boyfriends.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I said with a roll of my eyes. “Why don’t you go to the kitchen and visit with Lara? She’s back there with the chefs. If I’m not mistaken, they’re making Austin’s chocolate cake recipe. I know you both loved it.” They hugged me again and took off for the back. The second my mother got back there, I figured she was going to lecture Lara for not calling her back. Little did they know that the reason for her negligence was the man behind the bar. Grayson winked at me and smiled. It was going to be a good night.

That evening, the restaurant was filled with our family and friends. Evan hadn’t arrived yet, but as soon as Austin’s parents walked through the door and saw me, I rushed over and hugged them. “It’s been so long,” I cried. Donna hugged me hard and then passed me to Jerry. Donna reminded me so much of Austin, with her light brown hair and green eyes. Jerry, on the other hand, had red hair like Grayson’s.

With tears streaming down her face, Donna put her hands on my cheeks. “You look so beautiful, my dear. I never thought I’d see you smile again.”

“I almost thought I never would, either. I heard you came in last night.”

Her face turned red. “Yes, we did. I think your sister’s avoiding us now.”