He stood and took her breath away with the way he looked at her with relief and pleasure and appreciation for the dress she’d chosen. He looked handsome in khaki pants and a light-colored dress shirt that highlighted his deep tan.

She’d been so caught up in him that she failed to immediately notice that Marion was with him.

“Paul and I got our wires crossed,” he said quietly. “I was hoping you wouldn’t mind.”

“Of course I don’t. Hi, Marion. It’s so nice to see you again.”

“Who are you?”

“I’m Jenny, Alex’s friend. We’ve met several times recently.”

“Jenny.”

“Yes, and these are my parents, Hugh and Karen Wilks. Mom, Dad, this is Alex Martinez and his mother, Marion.” Jenny hadn’t mentioned Marion’s dementia to her parents, but they had experience with the ailment and would recognize it for what it was.

“I don’t know these people,” Marion said stiffly.

“They’re new friends, Mom,” Alex said with endless patience, even though Jenny could see the tension in the set of his jaw and shoulders. “Jenny is my girlfriend, and these are her parents.” He shook hands with her parents. “So nice to meet you. Jenny talks about you all the time.”

“Good stuff, I hope,” her dad said, making Alex laugh and breaking the ice.

“All good.”

They were shown to their table, which Alex had upgraded from a four-top to a five before she arrived. He sat between her and his mother, but as soon as they were seated, he reached for Jenny’s hand under the table, which calmed and settled her. It would be okay. He loved her, and her parents were thrilled to know that, so Jenny had no need to worry.

“I don’t know these people, Alexander,” Marion said after they’d ordered drinks and dinner. “Where’s Daddy?”

“He couldn’t come, Mom.”

“Why not? I never go out to eat without him.”

Jenny’s heart broke for Alex and the pain it caused him whenever he had to remind his mother that his father had died.

“He’s working late tonight, Marion,” Jenny said. “He’ll see you at home.”

Alex sent her a grateful smile.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Jenny, and these are my parents, Hugh and Karen.”

Marion seemed appeased for the moment with the introductions and took a bite of the roll that Alex had buttered for her.

“What do you think of our island so far?” Alex asked her parents.

“It’s breathtaking,” Karen said. “I can see why Jenny loves it so much.” As her mother said the words, she looked directly at Alex, and the double meaning wasn’t lost on Jenny. Her mother liked him, and Jenny had no doubt her parents respected the gentle way he handled his mother and her condition.