Three Makes a Family--A Clean Romance Cari Webb (short books for teens txt) 📖

office two years ago. The same exact time Drew took over the case. And now Gina’s daughter was two. Brad’s information had indicated Gina had never been married. Gina might have told Elena she wasn’t interested in having a boyfriend, but perhaps Gina had simply wanted to keep her relationship secret. And dating her boss would definitely qualify as secret worthy. The timing could not be a coincidence. Molly tried to signal to Drew over her water glass.

His head lifted, but he kept his attention on adding Gina’s balloon kitten and elephant to the collection gathering on the table. Then he busied himself organizing the animal display for Hazel.

Molly adjusted Hazel’s crown and guided the conversation into informal territory, hoping to establish a connection. “I’ve been told two is a very busy age. Hazel already keeps me on my toes.”

Antonio released a deep rumbling laugh. “My granddaughter is always on the go. Same as her mother was.”

Gina finished a horse and set it on the table beside the others. She wrapped her arm around her father’s waist. “Don’t let him fool you. My dad is the busiest one in the family.”

“Family.” Antonio’s bushy eyebrows arched high onto his forehead. “If you have that, then you have everything you’ll ever need.”

Family mattered. So did Drew and Gina. She worked on the connection—the one that would lead to trust and eventually to information. She was intentional. Some would say cold and methodical. But she had to be. “How long have you owned Girasoli?”

“Three generations. My wife and I cook. My other daughter bakes.” Antonio’s chest puffed out. “It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but we’ve weathered every storm together. As it should be. Right, Gina?”

Gina’s hands fluttered in front of her as if she’d suddenly lost her balance. But she recovered and quickly pulled out her notepad and seemingly her focus. “I should take your lunch order. It is why you’re here after all.”

Molly opened her menu. She scanned the contents, but her mind skimmed over the variety of choices. Too many questions about Gina and her young daughter crowded her thoughts.

Drew asked, “Do you have any chef recommendations?”

“I can recommend the pappardelle in a Bolognese, topped with aged Parmesan,” Antonio offered and snapped his fingers. “Of course, the four-cheese spinach manicotti are handmade and the wild mushroom ricotta raviolis too. Both are exceptional and quite popular today.”

“You had me at handmade.” Molly smiled. “I’ll have the raviolis.”

Drew touched his stomach as if he were famished. “The same please.”

“I’ll prepare a delightful ricotta pancake for the princess.” Antonio winked at Hazel, pressed his palm over his heart. “They are my granddaughter’s favorite.”

“That would be wonderful,” Molly said. “And very much appreciated. Hazel will definitely enjoy more than toasted cereal.”

Gina finished writing in her notepad and looked up. “I’ll bring your fresh bread basket soon. Let me know if you need anything else.”

Gina hurried inside the restaurant. Antonio strolled down the patio to check in on another table of guests, once again releasing his deep rumbling laugh. Hazel giggled too.

Drew picked up the horse-shaped balloon and turned it over in his hands. “I know what you’re going to ask, Molly.”

“Really?” Molly claimed the poodle. “What is that?”

“Can I learn to make balloon animals too? That way, we’ll always have entertainment at whatever dining table we find ourselves at.” Drew lifted his gaze to hers.

Laughter rushed out of Molly, before she could think better of it. He’d always made her laugh during their mock-trial practices. Or before midterm exams. Or after all-night study sessions. As if he always recognized when she’d gotten too serious and had forgotten to take a moment to relax. She smiled. “That’s exactly what I wanted to know.”

Drew set the horse into a make-believe gallop over the dishes to Hazel’s delight. “And yes, there were rumors of a romance in the department. One that involved Cory.”

“I thought you never listened to office gossip.” Molly perched her dog beside her water glass as if it needed a drink too. And she held on to the laughter—the lightness inside her—that reminded her fun was allowed. And even welcomed in her life.

“I listened when Elena told me something.” Drew slowed the horse and set it next to the others. “If Elena was pausing her work to pass along gossip, it was usually interesting or entertaining. And often times true.”

“Who was the other half of Cory’s office romance?” Molly set her elbows on the table and leaned toward Drew.

“That’s the piece no one ever figured out.” Drew shook his head. “It amused Cory. He always liked to hear the guesses, which made me think he could’ve started the rumor.”

Molly snatched one of Hazel’s dry cereal pieces and popped it into her mouth. Hazel squealed and handed Molly another. Molly asked, “For what purpose?”

“It kept people talking about him,” Drew said. “Kept him the main topic of discussion. But the conversation stopped during his run for DA.”

“That seems odd. Because he wanted to protect his upstanding image maybe? And there was you at the same time taking over on the Van Solis case.” Molly wiped a napkin across Hazel’s chin. “And when did Gina leave?” she asked, although she knew the answer.

“The same time I came on board with the Van Solis case,” Drew repeated.

“That was all two years ago.”

Drew looked at her and nodded. “Same age as Gina’s daughter.”

Another waiter dropped off their meals and Hazel’s ricotta pancake, grated fresh Parmesan over their plates and refilled their water glasses. Molly said, “There are no coincidences, only connections.”

Drew nodded again and pierced a ravioli with his fork. “Let’s eat and figure out another way to access those connections.”

Gina checked on them once, then returned to drop off the bill. Molly wiped off Hazel’s face and hands, then passed her to Drew. “Can you take her to look at the fountain at the front of the restaurant? She loves water.”

Drew snuggled Hazel into his side. “What are you going to do?”

“Use the restroom.” And find Gina