“Genna made reservations at the marina restaurant for dinner tonight—that’s why I couldn’t eat here. She’s putting the final wedding plans together this week, and she wants my help. We’re going to get my dress fitted.” Hazel’s never-impressed-with-anything attitude dropped for a moment, replaced by little girl excitement. “It’s going to be my first custom-fit dress, just like a model!” Hazel reached out and tugged at Zoey’s dress. “Speaking of dresses, this is dope. You should wear more yellow.”

Hazel gave Zoey a quick peck on the cheek, then turned and left the kitchen, giving Mike a quick wave.

“Is dope a good thing?” Mike asked Zoey.

“I think so. With social media, the in phrases seem to change weekly.”

“So your daughter could be totally shading you without you knowing it?” He laughed. “I don’t know how you do it.”

“A lot of parenting is just dumb luck,” she admitted. “I spend a lot of time crossing my fingers that I’m not totally screwing her up for life.”

“Hey.” His arm slid around her waist. “You’re a natural at being a mom. I’d be lost.”

“I’m lost all the time, Mike. I don’t really remember my mom, so I have no example to follow. I’m operating blind here.” She leaned her head against his chest before remembering where they were and stepping out of his embrace.

“Well,” he said, “I think you’re amazing. The parenting thing has always been intimidating to me. It’s not the kids, but being responsible for them. I don’t know if I have that skill set.”

She patted his shoulder. “There’s a lot of on-the-job training, that’s for sure. But you have a good heart and a great sense of fairness. You’d do fine.”

Mike would be a wonderful father. A wonderful stepfather. She just had to figure out how to bring him into Hazel’s life. She had a funny feeling that he was right—waiting wasn’t going to make that any easier. She swallowed hard, looking around the kitchen. “I think we’re done in here.”

When they walked out of the kitchen, the house fell instantly silent. So did the table out on the deck, beyond the open doors. Everyone was staring at them. Her heart sank.

“What happened?”

Mary was standing near Sam’s recliner. She folded her arms and arched one eyebrow high.

“I think it’s time for you two to tell us what’s happening.”

Zoey’s mouth opened, but she couldn’t construct words. Mike seemed to be suffering from the same problem. Vickie’s prim voice filled the silence.

“When I think of me asking you—more than once, I believe—if there was anything between you and Mike and you flat out lied to my face.” There was more amusement in her voice than offense. “My own goddaughter!”