“I feel a little silly ordering a salad at a steak house,” says Vanessa, picking at her food while Marlene and I dig in. “I guess I don’t have much of an appetite tonight.”

I reach across the table and place my hand on hers. I’m careful to avoid her bandaged thumb, one of her few minor injuries from her car crash and foot chase earlier today. It’s a damn miracle she walked away with only cuts and bruises. Her face has been scrubbed clean as well of the tear marks and smeared mascara, and she looks younger, even more vulnerable.

“You could order off the kids’ menu tonight for all I care,” I say. “I’m just glad you’re safe. And if your appetite happens to come back, you’re welcome to some of mine.”

“She is?” Marlene exclaims. “I think I might faint. Did Caleb Rooney just offer to share his precious steak? Back when we were married, I used to have to beg him just to get a bite. This woman must be pretty special.”

I smile broadly.

“You both are special,” I say. “You know that. That’s why I wanted us to have dinner together. I figured we could all use a night out.”

“Thanks again for the invitation,” Vanessa says. She turns to Marlene. “I’m glad you’re here, Marlene. It means a lot. If Lucas asked me to join him for a meal with one of his girlfriends, I think I’d jump in front of a streetcar before I said yes.”

“Hmm,” Marlene says. “About that. Can I be honest here for a minute?”

Uh-oh. Believe me, that is never the way you want your ex-wife to start a sentence. I open my mouth to try to stop her, but Vanessa answers first.

“Of course you can,” she says. “Always.”

“When I first realized that Caleb was seeing a married woman, it didn’t sit right with me,” Marlene says, choosing her words well. “Not for any moral reasons. I just don’t want to see my business partner get hurt—unless I’m the one doing it. Sure, he’s tough. Especially when it comes to the fairer sex. But you can dent a cast-iron skillet if you hit it hard enough. Get me?”

Marlene spears a piece of steak on her fork and jabs it in the air for emphasis.

“You’ve proven me wrong, Vanessa,” my ex-wife says. “Whatever happens between you two is none of my business … but y’all have something really nice. I’m happy for you.”

For a moment, I’m speechless. And a little touched.

“That was lovely, Mar,” I say. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you be so … nice.”

“Yeah, well, don’t get used it.”

We all share a little laugh, our first of many this evening.