Chapter 295: A Second Chance

"Planning what? Just a CEO allocating work resources appropriately."

I rolled my eyes at his transparent lie, but ten minutes later, Dan's phone rang. His expression transformed as he took the call—first confusion, then pleased surprise, finally settling into professional seriousness.

He turned to me with genuine regret in his eyes. "I'm so sorry about this. I've just received an urgent meeting request. They need an attorney to handle a critical project immediately. It's an exceptional opportunity..."

Sam's face fell dramatically. "Right now? Dad, why does it have to be now? Can't another lawyer do it?"

"It's alright," I assured him with a polite smile, secretly amused at James's blatant interference. "Work is important."

Dan looked torn between professional opportunity and personal disappointment. "Thank you for understanding. Perhaps we could reschedule?"

I nodded noncommittally as he rushed to gather his things, apologizing profusely to both Harper and Sam, who looked equally devastated by this turn of events.

***

"Nice guy, not worth my mom," Harper announced from the backseat as we drove home, her arms crossed decisively over her chest.

"Really? You seemed to like him so much that you arranged a date for me," I replied, glancing at her in the rearview mirror.

"Yeah, but he wasn't supposed to leave for stupid work," she huffed, chin jutting out. "We barely even got to eat the pretty cupcakes he bought!"

I sent a quick text to James at a red light: "Using corporate resources to sabotage a five-year-old's matchmaking attempt? Very creative, Mr. Thornton."

His reply came instantly: "Limited options from Chicago. But the project is legitimate, and the compensation generous. He should be thanking me."

I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me.

"What's so funny, Mom?" Harper leaned forward, trying to peek at my phone.

I tucked it away. "Just a big CEO who's giving a little girl's father a huge project because he's jealous."

Harper's forehead wrinkled adorably. "What's jealous? Can you eat it?"

"It's when someone is afraid of losing something important to them," I explained, simplifying for her benefit. "Like when you don't want to share your favorite toy with Theo."

Harper's eyes widened with sudden understanding. "Oh! Is James jealous of Mr. Grande? Because you might like Mr. Grande better?"

"Something like that."

"Well, Mr. Grande needs to be rejected anyway," Harper declared with finality. "He totally failed the daddy test."

"The daddy test?" I echoed, trying not to smile.

"Yes! If he really wanted to be our new daddy, he would've told work people 'no' and stayed for cupcakes." Harper shook her head disapprovingly. "Sam said his dad almost never misses important stuff, so this meeting must not have been as 'mergency as he said."

I decided this warranted a teachable moment. "Harper, sweetie, adults sometimes have complicated responsibilities. Mr. Grande probably didn't want to leave, but his job is important. We shouldn't judge people based on one decision."

Harper considered this, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "I guess you're right, Mommy. Maybe we can give Mr. Grande another chance. Hard-working men deserve forgiveness, right?"

I resisted the urge to groan. Here I was, trying to subtly defend James by teaching Harper about understanding adult responsibilities—the very thing she refused to extend to James—and somehow she'd twisted my words into further justification for pursuing Dan.

"Harper Lewis," I said, unable to hide my exasperation, "that is not at all what I meant."

***

Saturday afternoon at Ephemeral was typically busy, but I still noticed when Ray appeared at my office door, cradling an extravagant bouquet of white and blush peonies arranged with sprigs of lavender and eucalyptus.

"Someone has an admirer," he remarked. "These just arrived for you."

I took the flowers, momentarily speechless at their beauty. My first thought was James—this seemed exactly like his grand gesture style. 

Pulling out my phone, I called him.

"Missing me already?" His voice sounded pleasantly surprised.

"Did you send flowers to the restaurant?" I asked, fingers gently tracing a particularly perfect peony.

There was a telling pause. "No. Should I have?"

"Someone did," I replied, scanning the card, which read only: *With sincere apologies and hopes for a second chance. —DG*

"Who?" James's tone shifted instantly, a harder edge replacing the warmth.

"Someone's trying to make a good impression," I teased, enjoying his reaction perhaps more than I should have.

"Who sent them?" he demanded again, not playing along.

"The flowers are lovely, by the way."

"My oversight. Starting tomorrow, you'll receive fresh arrangements daily without fail."

"That's more like it."

I was about to say more when the maître d' appeared at my door. "Ms. Lewis, there's a gentleman asking for you in the dining room."

I frowned. "Who is it?"

"Mr. Grande, I believe."

Well, that explained the flowers. "I'll be right there," I told the maître d', then returned to my call. "James, I have to go. A guest needs my attention."

"Grande?" His voice was eerily calm. "Tell him I said hello."

When I entered the dining room, I spotted Dan immediately. He'd chosen a table near the windows, dressed in casual weekend attire that somehow still looked impeccably tailored. He stood when he saw me approach.

"Ms. Lewis," he greeted me with a warm smile. "I hope my visit isn't inconvenient."

"The flowers are beautiful," I said, gesturing toward my office. "Thank you."

His eyes lit up. "You liked them? I wasn't sure about peonies, but the florist insisted they were perfect for an apology."

"They are," I assured him. "But unnecessary. I understand work commitments."

"Nevertheless, I'd like to make it up to you." He gestured to the chair across from him. "Perhaps lunch? I've heard your seasonal menu is exceptional."

I hesitated, knowing I needed to be honest about my situation, but also not wanting to embarrass him in my own restaurant. Professional courtesy won out.

Over exquisitely plated appetizers, I searched for the right opening to mention James. The last thing I wanted was to lead Dan on, especially when he seemed genuinely nice.

"Mr. Grande—"

"Please, call me Dan."

"Dan," I corrected with a smile. "I need to be straightforward with you. What happened the other day was a misunderstanding orchestrated by our children. I'm actually in a relationship."

To his credit, Dan's expression barely faltered. Only a slight tightening around his eyes betrayed his disappointment.

"I suspected as much," he admitted after a moment. "Women like you are rarely unattached."

"I apologize for not explaining sooner. Harper has been... resistant to my relationship, which is why she arranged the meeting with you and Sam."

We shared a moment of parental understanding before Dan's attention suddenly shifted to something over my shoulder. His eyes widened slightly.

"I believe your significant other has arrived," he said quietly.

I turned to see James striding through the restaurant entrance, carrying a bouquet at least three times larger than Dan's. Every head in the dining room turned to watch his dramatic entrance.