Feeling foolish for taking this date so seriously, he considered making up an excuse so he could get out of there before the farce could go any further. He could say that Maddox had just texted him with an emergency—his car had broken down or something—and needed his help.

But as soon as he stood up to try to catch Karoline, he saw Piper peeking around the corner at him.

“Hello,” he said.

A shy smile curved her heart-shaped lips, and she ducked back out of sight, only to tentatively peer around the corner at him again.

“Do you remember me?” he asked.

She nodded. “But you cut your hair.”

“Yeah. It’s a big change, isn’t it?” Maybe that was part of the reason he was feeling so foolish.

She nodded. “Now mine is longer than yours.”

“It sure is. Thank you for the gingerbread house, by the way. I really like it.”

This seemed to imbue her with the confidence to enter the room, although she hung back by the entrance. “Did you eat it?” she asked.

“Not yet.”

“What about the cookies?”

“Those are gone.”

“There’s more in the kitchen.”

“I’m fine for now, but thanks.”

She studied him curiously. Then she said, “Where are you taking my mama?”

“To dinner. Is that okay with you?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “Guess so.”

Terrance walked in, holding a beer. “Oh,” he said, doing a double take when he saw Tobias. “I didn’t realize you’d arrived. Can I get you something to drink?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“I hear you’re going to Santa Barbara tonight.”

“Yeah. To a restaurant called Monte’s. I’ve been told it’s one of the better places to eat.” Jada had picked the restaurant, too. She’d been there before—Tobias hadn’t—and said it was phenomenal.

“What kind of food do they serve?” Terrance asked.

“California cuisine.”

Piper edged closer to them both. “Can I go?”

Tobias didn’t want to say no. He was fine with letting her come along, although he guessed the restaurant might be a little fancy for children. But it wasn’t his decision. “We’ll have to check with your mom, okay?”

“Don’t even ask her,” Terrance advised Piper. “You can’t go with them tonight.” He gestured at the couch. “Sit down,” he said to Tobias. “I’m sure Harper won’t be long, but you might as well be comfortable. There’s a Lakers game on we can watch.”

Tobias thought of his intention to back out of the date. It would be more awkward now that Terrance and Piper were here, since he should’ve spoken up already and hadn’t, so he decided he’d take Harper out this one time and that would be it.