Page 64 of Trap ’N’ Trace

When her parents were alive, evening meals were a time and place for them to come together as a family and talk about everything. Dad’s business deals. Mom’s charity organizations and everything going on in Kat’s life. Her parents always had time for her, and they showed it with their love.

“Dear, are you all right?” Renee asked. “You’ve been through so much this past week.”

“We’re sorry to hear about your friend who was killed,” Bill said to her, then to Dayne, “Both your friends. You must miss them.”

Dayne nodded but didn’t say anything.

“I do.” A lump formed in her throat. “Terribly.” And last night, she’d almost found a way to take her mind off the grief. With their son.

Something touched her shoulder—Dayne’s hand, gentle and reassuring. Though it was a simple gesture of support, she appreciated it. More than she should.

Two hours later, Kat’s stomach was about to burst.

“Lily, your chicken piccata was delicious, and this chocolate mousse cake…” She had no words for how wonderfully chocolatey and rich the cake was. “It makes my heart sing.”

Lily’s face beamed. “I’m happy you enjoyed it.”

“JJ.” Dayne snagged the boy’s arm. “Stop feeding Angus cake. Chocolate’s not good for dogs. It can make them very sick, and I don’t want him puking on the way home.”

“Aww, Uncle Dayne.” JJ gave his uncle a sheepish look.

“You, too.” Dayne stopped Addie from slipping a frosting-laden gob of cake to Remy.

Both children giggled, and then everyone at the table was giggling. Except Dayne.

“Yeah, very funny,” he said. “You’re not the ones who’ll have to wash out the kennel. Maybe if I made all of you clean up dog vomit you’d think twice.”

“Dayne.” Renee swatted his arm. “The dinner table is no place to discuss vomit.”

Another round of laughter went around the table, and this time, Dayne joined in.

“Do you have a business card?” Kat asked Lily. “I periodically host charity events and I’d love to have you cater one. If you’d like to, that is.”

“Are you kidding?” Lily’s brows shot up. “Of course I would. I appreciate the opportunity.”

Kat clasped Renee’s hand, smiling warmly at Dayne’s mother and father. “Thank you—both of you—for allowing me to intrude on your special day.” It really had been more fun than she’d expected.

“It was our pleasure,” Bill said.

Renee squeezed her hand. “You’re welcome to join us anytime.”

“Thank you.” She wished she could join them again but doubted it would ever happen. “This was wonderful. Unfortunately, I have to get up very early tomorrow. I have meetings all day in the city.”

Dayne’s brows lowered. “You didn’t tell me that.”

“I forgot.” Actually, she hadn’t. Until that moment, she’d planned on canceling all her morning meetings, but she had to get out of the house. Anything to keep her busy. Because she’d enjoyed tonight far too much.

Being with Dayne and his family hadn’t been awkward at all. It had been nice. Too nice. The only thing she could think of to keep her mind off that was meetings. Lots of meetings.

“I’m sorry,” she added. “It must have slipped my mind.”

His brows lowered more, silently voicing what he wouldn’t say out loud: bullshit.

He’s right. It was bullshit. I never should have agreed to come here tonight. Now that she had, she liked him even more. Liked his family and the way they all were together. She wanted that. With someone.

The very real possibility that she would wind up an old maid—single, alone, and rambling around the walls of her castle…broke her heart.

Dayne pulled out his phone. His brows drew together, and his lips compressed into a tight line.