Page 45 of Perfect Together
“Now that she’s happily married, my sister’s a busy little matchmaker,” Sam muttered and she couldn’t read into his tone. Was he pleased she was here or was her presence at a family gathering too close for comfort?
“I’m glad you’re here,” he said, answering that question with a reply that should have given her relief but he’d been wishy-washy about his feelings before.
She tipped her head to one side. “Are you? I don’t want to invade your home territory. I know we agreed—”
He reached for her hand. “I said I’m glad, and I meant it. As for the rest...”
And she took the ball and ran with it. “I want to talk about it. About us. Maybe not here and now, but later. I need to clarify a few things between us.”
“Dinner,” his mother said, interrupting them.
Nicole didn’t mind but she raised her chin and glanced at Sam, letting him know without words that she wanted to change the rules. And she refused to compromise on what she needed.
***
Nicole discovered EllaMarsden was a fantastic cook. Her daughter, she learned, could barely crack an egg. Cole did most of the cooking in their house, a fact Nicole could barely reconcile, but she found it endearing that the gruff man clearly doted on his wife and child. Sam too knew how to fend for himself in the kitchen, and so could Mike. Since Nicole had a slew of recipes of her own, she and Ella hit it off well and discussed everything from basic cooking to Nicole’s favorite subject, desserts.
“Tell Mom about your shop,” Erin said. “She already knows you bake, but fill her in on the details.”
Nicole patted her mouth and placed her napkin on her lap. “Well, Lulu Donovan and I have an appointment at the bank this week to discuss our business loan request,” Nicole said, excited at how quickly things were moving along. “Nick Mancini offered us a very fair rental for the old bakery next to Consign and Design. Other than aesthetics, the infrastructure is already there. And Faith Barron is going to help us decorate. My head is spinning,” Nicole said, laughing.
“When did you make all these decisions?” Sam asked.
“All weekend, while moving in, discussions came up, and Aunt Lulu is so prepared, she’s hard to say no to—she makes so much business sense, I don’t want to.”
Erin went on to fill everyone in on her new job as an attorney at Nash Barron’s firm. He had flexible work-from-home hours, and she was happier than ever.
“What about you?” Simon asked his younger son. “Case almost finished?”
“Wrapped it up today, right?” he asked Cara, who Nicole thought seemed quiet and out of sorts.
She nodded. Her face was paler than before. “Umm... excuse me,” she said and darted out of the room.
Mike took off after her.
Eyes narrowed, Sam followed their quick departure. “Is she okay?”
A semi-smile lit Ella’s gaze, surprising Nicole. “Something tells me everything’s all right.”
Nicole met Sam’s gaze. They shrugged at each other, and soon Cara returned but Mike insisted they head out so she could get some rest, and nobody argued.
The rest of the meal passed pleasantly enough, and the subject turned to an upcoming art festival, for which Nicole had seen flyers posted around town.
“I love seeing new artists,” Nicole said.
“Me too. And Tess Barron has a showing there,” Erin said. “She’s only sixteen, and she’s an amazing artist.”
“That girl has been through so much. I’m happy for her,” Ella murmured.
Nicole knew there was a story there and figured she’d ask Sam another time. “I’d love to go. There’s a place in my new bedroom that needs a picture.”
“Oh, let’s go together, then,” Erin said. “Cole hates those things, so he can watch Angel.” The baby was sleeping in a crib Ella and Simon had set up in a spare room. “Sam, you can keep Cole company. Maybe change a diaper or two.”
“Or three,” Cole said, offering up the opportunity like it was the chance to win a gold medal.
“I think I’ll leave that to you,” Sam said to his brother-in-law.
“Chicken,” Cole muttered.