Family night. Ashley felt a pang. It sounded wonderful to her, but Joanna was still frowning.

“Nate would be there, too?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t think—”

“It sounds brilliant,” Ashley intervened before Joanna could wreck what sounded like a perfect evening. “We’ll be there. What time? What should we bring?”

“Come at seven?” Mel stood up. “Bring yourselves, that’s it. And maybe swimsuits, in case we swim.”

“Seven. Swimsuits. Got it.” Ashley beamed. “Thanks, Mel.”

Mel disappeared back inside the café and Joanna stared at her in despair.

“Why did you say yes?”

“Because I’m a teenager and life has been far too heavy lately. I need light relief. I need entertaining and family night sounded like fun. Also because you weren’t going to, and this is the perfect opportunity for you to spend time and relax with—” She almost said Nate, and then decided Joanna might refuse to go. “Your friends.”

“I don’t think it will be relaxing. It will be stressful.”

“A barbecue overlooking the ocean? How is that stressful?”

“It’s not the food that’s stressful, it’s the people. And the circumstances. You’re behaving as if we’re old friends, but we haven’t talked properly in twenty years.”

Ashley almost said, Then it’s beyond time, but decided that would be rude. “It’s just a barbecue. It might be fun, and if it isn’t we can leave.”

“You’d leave?”

“Yes. We can have a signal, like my friends and I do when we go on dates. We can press the emergency button.” She had no intention of pressing that button. “But as this isn’t a date, and there are going to be a few people, I don’t think we’re going to need to do that. It will be fun. But I need something to wear.” And so do you, Ashley thought. “Let’s try that boutique Mel suggested. We could go right now, before a bunch of reporters show up.” She should probably be saving what little money she had for the baby, but she’d worry about that later. The tiny amount she’d spend on clothes was hardly going to solve her problem, anyway. The panic that had haunted her since she’d stepped into the car with Cliff hovered close. She forced herself to breathe and ignore it.

Nate appeared at their table. “How were the pancakes?”

“Amazing, delicious, best ever.” Ashley was grateful for the distraction. “Thank you for everything.”

“Of course.” Nate scooped up their plates. “What are your plans now?”

“We’re going shopping,” Ashley spoke quickly, before Joanna could say something different. “I need clothes.”

“And no doubt Joanna needs books.” Nate glanced at her and Ashley thought, He knows her.

“Yes, books.”