“You’re in love with Mike?” Her voice was tender and hopeful.

All Zoey could do was nod in response.

“Girl—” Tani gave a soft laugh “—I knew it. I see it in your eyes every time you say his name. Good for you.” She paused. “As far as thinking it’s selfish to fall in love? I say bullshit to that nonsense. You deserve to be happy. Grab on to that man and hang on to him.”

“Exactly,” Mary agreed. “You two fit together so perfectly. You both deserve happiness. But honey, why do you keep hitting the brakes?”

“You know why—I have a daughter to consider.”

Mary pulled her hand away, bristling just a little. “And you don’t think Mike can be a good stepdad?”

“Don’t be silly. Of course he’d be great. But Hazel has specifically and repeatedly told me she does not want me dating, much less getting in a relationship.”

Tani nodded thoughtfully. “I get that. But Hazel is a thirteen-year-old. She’s half child and half woman. It’s the child in her that doesn’t want to share you with anyone. Children never like sharing. But she’s smart and she’s adaptable, and she’d want you to be happy.” Tani nibbled on one of the french fries from her plate, even though it had to be cold by now. “It’s time to bring her in the loop and deal with it.”

“I agree with Tani...” Mary reached over and stole one of Tani’s cold fries. “Just because Hazel may be upset at first doesn’t make you a bad mom. Hell, my kids are mad at me over something every damn day.”

“I hear that,” Tani said, lifting her soda glass in a toast. “Doing what’s best for your children does not mean making them perpetually happy. Hazel’s a good kid—she’ll deal.”

Zoey went home from lunch to an empty house. Mike had gone to an auto race in Watkins Glen with some friends, and wouldn’t be back until late. With Chris and Genna headed off to their honeymoon in Vegas, Hazel would be with Zoey all week. Maybe this was the week she should tell her daughter about Mike. Or...maybe not. She’d often said that growing up without a mother left her feeling like she had no road map, and that was something she could really use right now. She was going to miss her mother even more over the coming years as Hazel navigated her way to adulthood.