for dinner. In fact, why don't you come with Ryan tomorrow night?"
She could feel Ryan stiffen beside her and she held her breath. This could go so badly or it could be fine.
"Dad, I'm not sure–"
"It would hurt your mother's feelings if you declined," Jack said firmly, his gaze intent on Ryan. "Besides, you have to eat even if you're working."
"We would love to have both of you," Patricia said softly. She was looking at her son with such love and adoration. How did Ryan not see it? "I can have the cook make roast chicken. It's your favorite."
Clearing his throat, Ryan shifted on his feet. "Of course, I'll be there, Mom."
His mother's gaze traveled back to Mariah. "And Mariah, too? We haven't seen her in so long."
"If she's free. I can't speak for her."
It was pure instinct for Mariah to agree. She'd run interference for Ryan with his parents many times before. It came as naturally as breathing. She'd already said yes before she remembered that it wasn't really her problem anymore.
Oh well. The roast chicken is divine.
Jack checked his watch. "We need to be going. I have a conference call with California in an hour."
Patricia hugged Ryan again and the older couple headed for the exit, only stopping to bid goodbye to a few friends.
"Heaven forbid Dad might miss a conference call."
Mariah didn't like the sarcasm in Ryan's tone. It wasn't her job to call him on it anymore but what the hell? Somebody ought to and Liza wasn't here to do it.
"What's your problem? He has a conference call. So what?"
"He always put work before his family."
"His family seems fine today. Why is it so terrible that he might take a call? You worked today, too."
A muscle jumped in his cheek. She'd pissed him off. Good.
"That wasn't a big deal."
"Maybe this call isn't either."
"Whose side are you on?"
"Is it a war? Call me Switzerland."
"You know how he is."
"I do, but I don't think you do."
He muttered something under his breath that she couldn't quite make out but had the feeling it wasn't all that complimentary of her. She had a few things she could say right back to him.
With his hand on her lower back, he pressed her forward toward the exit but immediately their path was blocked by one of their old friends, Carl Winwood.
"We're all going to have a drink," Carl said, giving Mariah a hug. "You have to come, too."
Carl had been Ryan's best friend for years. Red-haired and freckled, Carl always had a big smile on his face except for today. Did they still keep in touch? She had no idea, but she'd always liked him. He'd brought out the best in Ryan and vice versa.
Raising his brows in question, Ryan waited for her to accept or decline. She would say yes, of course. She wanted to see her old friends and catch up, although it was a terrible reason for a reunion.
They all decided to meet up at a restaurant and bar within walking distance. Ryan and Mariah walked with Carl and he'd assured them that most of the group was already there. Without spouses. It was just going to be the old friend group today.
"It's awful that we're seeing each other under these sad circumstances but I'm so damn glad to see both of you," Carl said as he pulled open the door of the bar. "We can't let it go this long again."
"We won't," Ryan promised, clapping his friend on the shoulder. "I've been too caught up in my job but I want to change that. Make time for my friends more."
Mariah didn't say much as they were led deeper into the restaurant to a back area that was dimly lit and quiet, separate from the rest of the establishment with a set of French doors. Two tables had been pushed together and most of the chairs were already filled with familiar faces.
Dan was there, as was Theo Perkins, both dressed in dark suits but there the similarity ended. Dan looked like a blond surfer guy while Theo had the dark hair and eyes passed down from his Greek grandmother.
Liza and her husband Mike were there too, of course. Liza was talking to Daphne Eastman and Isla Norton. On her other side was Trent Garfield, tapping something out on his phone and barely giving the group any of his attention.
Trent had a love-hate thing going with Brad all those years ago. They were friends but deeply competitive with one another.