Park. It’ll be a great day, and I know Sam would want to go. He’s helped out a lot.”
Amanda peeled the label off her water bottle. “Yeah, okay. I can handle a week with you. Is it too late for me to sign up to walk in the event?”
Jack smiled. “I happen to be dating the event coordinator. I can get you in, if it is.”
Amanda laughed. “You’re dating her for real this time, right? Not just pretending for some goofball reason.”
“I take offense to that,” he joked.
“Are you walking or running?” she asked.
“Walking.”
“I remember Emma’s mom,” Amanda said. “We were just kids, but I still think about her. You and I went through a lot growing up, but we never lost a parent. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been for Emma.”
Jack nodded. He hadn’t realized just how hard it’d been on Emma. She’d been avoiding seeing a doctor because she was terrified of ending up like her mom. He was glad she’d finally gone and gotten her clean bill of health. Now she could live her life fully. “Emma is strong,” he told Amanda. “Courageous. She inspires me to do better.”
“Oh. Wow.”
Jack looked at his sister. “What?”
“How long have you been in love with her?”
He scratched the side of his face where a beard was already trying to fill in even though he’d shaved three hours earlier. “I’m not.”
Amanda tilted her head. “I thought you were done pretending with me.”
Jack started peeling the label of his water bottle too. “Since college. Maybe before that.” Amanda already knew about the night he’d driven drunk to take Emma to her prom. It was one of his most shameful moments. “Her dad still thinks I’m scum of the earth.”
“That night was over ten years ago. People change. You’ve changed.”
Jack nodded. “Maybe so, but Emma is still his little girl. I’m pretty sure he hates the fact that we’re dating. There’s no way he’ll ever let things get further than that.”
Amanda’s mouth popped open. “You mean marriage? Oh my goodness, my brother wants to get married.”
Jack waved a hand. “No. I mean, yes, one day, but not now. Emma and I just started dating. And the point was that her dad isn’t thrilled.”
“So change his mind,” Amanda said with a broad smile. “You said you admired how courageous Emma is. Follow in her footsteps and be brave.”
“Brave how?” Jack asked, not understanding.
“Invite Emma’s family over for dinner,” she suggested.
Just the suggestion sent fear coursing through Jack’s body. “Be brave,” he repeated to Amanda’s steady smile. He looked at her for a long moment. “Emma isn’t the only one I admire for her courage. I admire the heck out of you too.”
“Aww.” She tilted her head. “Thanks.”
“The women in my life rock.” He nodded to himself. “And I’m going to follow their lead and win Emma’s dad’s approval.”
* * *
The coffee was weak.
Emma drew back and sucked in an audible breath. “What?” she said as she looked at her iPad.
Nina glanced over her shoulder at her from the café’s counter, tossing her a questioning look. She used a pair of tongs to place a pastry on a napkin and offered it to Mayor Everson, who scrunched his brows at Emma as well.
“Everything okay, Emma?” he asked.
Emma lifted a hand to her forehead and turned away from the tablet’s screen. Then she walked over to say hello to Brian. “Yes, fine. I should just stay far away from the A-List website, but I can’t seem to help myself. I got a review that said the coffee was weak.”
Brian tsked. “That’s an opinion, and it depends on the coffee drinker. I’ve always loved your coffee, which is why I’m here so often. You don’t seem to be suffering for business so I’d say a lot of others agree with me.”
Emma placed her hands on her hips. “Who writes these reviews anyway?”
Brian shrugged. “I learned a long time ago that some people will love what you’re doing and some won’t. It’s just part of the territory.”
“I for one love you,” Nina told him. “And your wife is amazing too.”
Brian smiled. “I think so.”
“Is Jessica going to join the race?” Emma asked him.
“Oh yeah. We both are,” he said. “She’ll be walking, and I’ve got wheels and two strong arms. I think a day to focus on the women in this community and their health is a wonderful idea. And, as you know, Jess and I are all about worthwhile causes. I’m also spreading the