Page 96 of Meant to Be

“Okay, then! Be back in a jiffy.”

While we waited, I took Cate’s hand and squeezed it. “She’s very nice,” I whispered.

“Thank you,” Cate whispered back, giving me a small smile.

A moment later, Cate’s mom returned with my beer.

“So, ladies…I’m drinking alone, I see?” I said with a laugh.

Jan said she was sorry, looking genuinely worried.

I told her I was only kidding, but she still popped back up, returning to her chair with a glass of white wine. Holding it in her lap, she said, “Well, I know Cate is going to be upset at me for saying this—but I justhaveto—”

“Mom—”

“C’mon. Let her—” I said, smiling.

Jan looked at Cate and said, “Can I?”

“Oh, whatever,” Cate said with a sigh.

Jan turned back to me and said, “Well, I was just going tosay…that I can’tbelieveyou’re sitting here in our house right now. And that you’re datingmydaughter. It’s just incredible. I loved your father—and I’ve been following you since the day you were born—”

“Okay, Mom. That’s enough,” Cate interjected. “He gets the point.”

“Well, thank you. Truly. It’s really nice of you to say all that,” I said. “And it means a lot to me that you cared about my father. He certainly did so much to make people proud.”

“Yes, he did. Hereallydid. Your grandfather, too. And your grandmother, Sylvia? What a pioneer! I justloveher!”

“Mom. You don’t evenknowher—”

“Joe gets what I’m trying to say—”

“Yes, I do, Jan. And I appreciate it. So much…” I hesitated, then took the direct approach. “I know Cate gave you a hard time about theNational Enquirer,but I thought it was really sweet. I love that your girl had my poster on her bedroom wall.”

“Oh my God,” Cate said under her breath, burying her face in her hands.

“See, Cate?” Jan said, jubilant. “I told you it wasn’t a big deal!”

“It really wasn’t,” I said, trying to make them both feel better at once.

Jan looked relieved. “Well, thank you for saying that…but it won’t happen again. Cate explained to me how the media is—I didn’t know. I thought it was okay so long as you didn’t say anything bad. Which I wouldnever.”

“Yes. The tabloids are a slimy lot. They will twist what you say. Hell, they’ll makeupwhat you say. You have to be careful, and it’s usually better to say nothing.”

“I know,” she said, nodding earnestly. “Lesson learned. It won’t happen again. Ipromise.”

“Well, thank you. But I’m mostly worried aboutyou,Jan. I just want you and Cate to be safe,” I said, draping my arm around Cate’s shoulders.

“Gosh,” she said. “That is very sweet.”

“I mean it.”

“Thank you, Joe.”

The doorbell rang, interrupting our lovefest.

“Oh, that must be Wendy!” Jan said.

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