"A certain Victoria Blackwood stopped by yesterday, and I think you have some explaining to do."
Alex leaned back, meeting Danny's playful, piercing gaze with a calm of his own. He had expected this.
But before Danny could fire off more questions, Sarah chimed in, her voice hushed but vibrating with excitement.
"Oh, Alex, it was incredible!" she whispered, leaning so far across the table she nearly tipped her salad. "I mean, isn't she Sophia's mother? When Mike said her name, I nearly had a heart attack. I thought for sure it was going to be... well, like Sophia."
She shook her head, her expression shifting into one of pure wonder.
"But she was so sweet, Alex. Truly. And so much prettier than Sophia... not just because of her face, but her whole vibe. She felt like a better person altogether."
"It's true," Danny muttered. "She's definitely not what I expected from that family."
