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“I’ve been introducing Jason to more home-cooked, healthy meals, but since me leaving tonight is potentially significant, he can have some of his old comfort foods from . . . you know, before,” I say.

Samantha’s eyes soften. “Got it. That’s cool of you to do. I know that probably means a lot to him, even if he doesn’t know how to express that.”

I smile at her, grateful for the ways she understands Jason’s situation. The less I have to explain, the easier it is for me to think about leaving him for the evening.

“I guess you probably know where we’re going, but call me if you need anything. I promised Jason I’d be back before he goes to bed tonight, but don’t feel bad if you need me to come back early for any reason at all. Text or ca—”

Samantha holds up a hand, silencing me. “Shhh,” she says. “You go have a baller night with my big bro. I got this. Stop worrying about Jason or about being alone with Griffin. Whatever it is that’s bothering you more.”

Cheeks freshly flaming, I wish I could think up an excuse to open the refrigerator again. Instead, I exhale and follow Samantha’s retreating figure. “You ready for the best night of your life, kiddo? Because after I win our wizard duel, I’m going to teach you how to play Trash,” Samantha says to Jason.

“Wait, you’re teaching him what?” I ask.

Griffin steals my breath by taking me by the elbow. That winsome smile is back, and he winks as he says, “Don’t worry. It’s a harmless card game. Sam’smostlyharmless, anyway.”

“Say ‘adios’ to the grown-ups, Jason,” Samantha says, saluting us.

“Adios! Have fun on your daaate,” Jason adds with high-pitched emphasis. Samantha rewards him with another high five while Griffin laughs. He’s holding out the peacoat that was hanging on the hallway coat rack, ready for me to slip my arms in. My breath catches as I take in the sight of this very handsome, veryfamousman holding out my coat for me.

Last chance to back out. Can I really do this?

Slipping my arms into the sleeves, I call out final reminders to Samantha. “Don’t forget, the fire blanket is under the sink! And be sure to turn on the exhaust fan if you use the stove or the smoke detector will be set off! And—”

Griffin tugs my elbow just hard enough to pivot me in his direction, once again locking those gray eyes on me. “Trust Sam. She’s got it. And I got you. Let’s go.”

After clicking my seatbelt, I immediately sit on my hands to stop myself from picking at the fresh nail polish. Bouncing my knee will have to do as an outlet for my fidgety nerves.

Griffin pulls out of the parking lot and asks how the week at school went. I fill him in on the major happenings of an elementary library (fights over who gets to sit in the giant tub during silent reading time being the most noteworthy). The sides of his eyes crinkle when I tell him how happy Jason is about his exclusive access to the tent after school each day.

“Maybe I would have been more interested in reading during elementary school if there was a tub or a tent at stake,” Griffin says with a laugh.

His comment makes me giggle, which makes him smile at me again, which makes my heart beat in funny rhythms.Maybe this won’t be so bad, I think. Then I look out the window at our surroundings and recognize the familiar path to the Country Club Plaza. My heartbeat stutters nearly to a stop.

“Where are we going for dinner?” I ask, holding my breath.

“I would say it’s a surprise, but you strike me as the type who doesn’t love surprises,” Griffin says, a slight tease in his tone. I shrug my confirmation of his assumption. “I have a reservation at Capital Grille.”

I turn away so Griffin doesn’t see my brow furrow.Great. I shouldn’t have let the Jeep throw off my instincts so much. Of course, he’s going to show off his status by taking me to a ritzy restaurant. Typical.

My phone rings, and I answer immediately when I see that it’s Samantha. “Is Jason okay? What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Nothing’s wrong,” Samantha replies, and my heart rate slows down. “I just wanted to catch you before you get to dinner. Jason wants to bake some cookies together, so I wanted to double check if you’re okay if we use up the rest of the flour.”

Closing my eyes, I blow out the breath I was holding. “Yes, that’s fine. I’m going to the store tomorrow, so not a problem at all. Thanks for checking.”

“Now go have fun! We’re all good here,” Samantha chirps before hanging up.

“Everything okay?” Griffin asks when I put my phone away.

I nod. “Yes, they’re fine. She needed the go-ahead to use up the flour to make cookies.”

Griffin grimaces. “Uhhh, I don’t know how to tell you this, but expect to find flour in every nook and cranny for the next few weeks. Sam takes the saying ‘messy cooks are the best cooks’ very literally.”

A sound that’s half laugh and half groan escapes my throat, turning Griffin’s grimace back into a smile. The lighthearted moment is ruined, though, as we pull up in front of Capital Grille. The valet quickly opens my door, and I slip out of the Jeep as gracefully as possible in my dress and heels.

“What’s up, Jimmy?” Griffin says as he tosses his keys to the valet. “How’s your mom doing?”

“Much better,” the valet—Jimmy, apparently—replies. “She’ll have to be careful about what she eats without her gallbladder, but she’s already doing so much better.”