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Once she was gone, Katherine felt the weight of being alone with Matthew’s parents without her mother’s protective charm and friendly small talk.

“Mama,” Libby called out, leaning away from Matthew so that Katherine would hold her.

At first, Matthew hesitated handing Libby over. But since Katherine only smiled and held out her hands, his shoulders relaxed, and even his mother’s expression softened at seeing her son’s happy face.

“I’m sorry, where are my manners,” Katherine said, shifting Libby to one hip. “Let’s get you settled in for lunch.”

“That’s a great idea,” Matthew agreed. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m pretty hungry.”

When Matt and Sarah agreed, joining Justin in the big corner booth, Katherine felt her nerves starting to ease as Beth Ann appeared with menus for everyone.

“Justin, I got Zach to put your order on hold so everyone else has time to look at the menu. In the meantime, I’ll bring out some fries and dipping sauces for you to snack on while you wait.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Justin said.

“No problem.” Beth Ann grinned. “And you folks take your time with those menus. Everything you see is excellent. Katherine’s taught Zach everything he knows, so anything from the kitchen is a sure bet.”

“Thank you… Beth Ann,” Sarah said after leaning forward to read her name tag. “We’ve already had some of Katie’s scratch-made pancakes, and they were excellent. So fluffy and delicious.”

Beth Ann looked surprised but played it off until she was far enough away from Matthew’s parents.

“So… pancakes for Mom and Dad,” she whispered as she passed Katherine and Matthew, headed to the kitchen for the fries she’d promised.

Without anyone else noticing, they shared a glance and a grin before Matthew took Libby and went in search of a high chair.

“Back corner!” Katherine called out before turning to go into the kitchen and speak to her friend. She was determined to put an end to the teasing, but Beth Ann was already headed back toward the table with a basket of fries and a selection of Katherine’s super-secret dipping sauces. The self-satisfied smirk on her face said it all.

“Did I happen to mention Iwasplanning on giving you a raise?” Katherine commented as Beth Ann walked by.

“Cool. Can’t wait to spend it!”

When Beth Ann reached the booth, her smile was somehow bigger. “Katherine’s just the best boss ever,” she gushed to the Brandons, then explained the flavor profiles of the different dipping sauces.

Having returned with the high chair, Matthew left Libby in his mother’s care and caught up with Katherine just before she disappeared into the kitchen.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked. “I’m sorry. I had no idea they’d be here. I just wanted to see you, so I told Justin I’d buy him lunch if we could come here instead of grabbing a pizza or going through Bunny’s drive-thru.”

Katherine smiled, knowing the only thing Justin Macomb liked more than food wasfreefood.

“It’s okay. They just caught me off guard,” she said, looking down at her all-black work clothes. “This wasn’t exactly how I thought I’d be meeting them.”

“Don’t worry about it. You look beautiful.”

As Beth Ann came their way with her order pad in hand, she added, “I tell her the same thing, but do you think she ever listens to me?”

“Beth Ann—”

“Fine… I’m sorry to interrupt.” She rolled her eyes. “Are you ordering lunch too, Matthew?”

As Matthew started to reply, Beth Ann was already scribbling on her order pad.

“I know. BLT, extra T.”

“Impressive memory.”

When Beth Ann curtsied before slipping back into the kitchen, Katherine shook her head in embarrassment, but Matthew only laughed. “Don’t let it get to you.”

“I’m trying but she’s such a nutcase.”