Jon pulled out the chair and sat. “Thanks.” The server came to take his order almost immediately. “So, have you and Serenity done any more food battles?”

Gabriel chuckled and wished their battles were as simple as food. “No. I think I’m going to just concede that Serenity is the better cook.”

“I don’t blame you. She could quit nursing, open up her own restaurant, and be as successful as this place.” The server returned and placed a glass of lemonade in front of Jon. “Thanks.”

“Probably, but I think she loves nursing more.” He recalled how she’d comforted the fussy baby in the doctor’s office. The woman had a way about her unlike anything he’d ever seen, and it was one of the reasons he found it hard to stay away. “Have you been to a supper club dinner since then?”

Jon took a long drink of his lemonade. “No, but not because Terri hasn’t asked. My hours of late have been crazy, but then hers have, too.”

Gabriel thought he heard something in Jon’s voice, but he didn’t know the man well enough to pry. “Hopefully, they’ll slow down so you two can make it to one soon.”

He toasted Gabriel with his glass. “We’ll see.”

Once their food arrived, the two men conversed about sports, politics, and just about every other subject. Gabriel found out that Jon and Terri had moved to town two years ago from Los Angeles. “How do you like living here?”

“It took some getting used to, that’s for sure,” Jon said with a little laugh. “It’s not so bad, and I’m close enough to the Bay to get my fix when I need it. I still miss LA, but the promotion alone was worth the move.”

Gabriel nodded. Yes, San Francisco, Oakland, and Napa weren’t too far away, and he could experience everything he enjoyed back home. Yet it still hadn’t swayed him completely. He wouldn’t mind visiting, especially if it meant he’d see Serenity, but living here forever? Yeah. No. Staying here would mean seeing Serenity every day, not just occasionally, and it’s not like you’re missing anything in Atlanta, an inner voice chimed. He ignored it and continued eating.

After finishing their lunch and settling the bill, Gabriel and Jon went their separate ways. Gabriel stopped to get ice cream, then drove home. He scanned the front yard and noticed the grass needed to be cut. Almost immediately, his gaze strayed to Serenity’s yard. From the look of it, the landscaping company had continued to drop the ball. He shook his head and went inside to change.