Page 84 of Julian

"Everything here is good," Angela said. "But I especially love their fried chicken."

Julian scanned the offerings, surprised by the home-style options. He'd rarely eaten at places like this, usually opting for high-end restaurants where the meal was served in courses, and the food was artfully arranged.

"I think I'll get the pot roast," Kiara said, closing her menu decisively. "With extra mashed potatoes."

"Is that the best thing here?" Julian asked, looking over his own menu.

The home-style options were so different from his usual fare. Something about a place like this, with its high-back booths and laminated menus, made him feel both out of place and strangely comfortable.

"I think so," Kiara replied, patting her belly. "And Baby Boy approves."

"Then I'll trust your judgment." Julian closed his menu and set it on the table. "I'll have the same."

"So what did you think of the service?" Angela asked, leaning forward with an eager expression after the waitress had taken their orders.

Julian shifted in his seat, unsure how to answer Angela's question. The sermon had touched on things he was still processing—his guilt, his failures, the possibility of redemption.

"It was interesting," he said finally. "Different from what I expected. Less… judgmental, maybe."

"Pastor Mark is really good at making the gospel relatable," Angela said. "That's what I love about this church. It’s a place where broken people can find healing."

Broken people. The phrase resonated with Julian. He certainly qualified.

"What about you, Kiara?" Angela asked. "What did you think?"

Kiara took a sip of her water before answering. "I liked the music. And the message about hope… it was nice to hear that our past doesn't have to define our future."

Julian glanced at her, wondering if the sermon had touched her in the same way it had affected him. He'd been so caught up in his own thoughts during the service that he hadn't considered what might be going through her mind.

"I liked that part too," Julian said. "About not being defined by our past."

He noticed Kiara's expression soften as she glanced at him, and he wondered if she had a past that she didn’t want to be defined by. She rarely went into detail about the years she’d spent growing up with Angela on the homestead.

"That's what I love about Christianity," Angela said. "It's all about grace and second chances. Finding a new life in Christ."

Second chances.The concept was both appealing and terrifying. Did he deserve a second chance after what he'd done? After the years he'd wasted drinking himself into oblivion?

Their food arrived, steam rising from the generous portions of pot roast and mashed potatoes. Julian was surprised by how appetizing it looked, even though it wasn’t beautifully plated like at the high-end restaurants he frequented.

Before they began to eat, Jude said a brief prayer of thanks for the food.

Kiara closed her eyes as she took her first bite of pot roast, letting out a small hum of appreciation. "This is exactly what I needed."

Julian sampled his own meal, surprised by the rich flavor and the way the meat fell apart under his fork. It wasn't the refinedcuisine he was accustomed to, but there was something deeply satisfying about it.

"Good choice," he told Kiara, who smiled at him before digging into the mashed potatoes with enthusiasm.

As they ate, the conversation shifted to more casual topics. Angela's decorating plans for her and Jude's home. Kiara's ideas for the garden at their house.

Julian found himself relaxing into the normalcy of it all. No business deals to negotiate, no social climbing to navigate. Just a simple meal with family.

"So, Julian," Jude said during a lull in the conversation, "are you planning to stay at the estate for a while, or are you going to head back to New York soon?"

Julian finished chewing a bite of pot roast before answering. "I'm planning to be here unless there are things that I need to take care of elsewhere. Like the upcoming fundraising gala and the board meetings."

He glanced at Kiara, who seemed focused on her mashed potatoes. He couldn't read her expression, but he hoped his decision to stay wasn't unwelcome. So far, living in the house together had gone smoothly. Better than he'd expected, actually. They'd fallen into an easy rhythm, respecting each other's space while sharing meals occasionally.

"That makes sense," Jude said. "And how's the house working out for both of you?"