Taking a deep breath, he exhaled. “Yeah. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” I didn’t want to stop touching him—his skin was warmed by the sun and he smelled good. I sort of wished I could loop my arm through his and press my cheek against his bicep . . . but I didn’t. “I’m always here to listen. And I understand how complicated divorces and remarriages and single parenting can be.”
“Thanks.” He watched as Whitney lifted Luna down and helped Hallie into the saddle. “I don’t usually spill my guts about that stuff.”
“I know. You just grunt and go about your business.”
He elbowed me and stayed close enough that our arms remained touching. “I was trying to say something nice to you.”
“You were?” I feigned surprise. “I must have missed it.”
“I was working up to it.”
“Keep working.”
He nudged me again. “It’s easy to talk to you. You make it easy. Somehow.”
I smiled, my heart swelling at the compliment. “Thanks.”
A minute or two went by, a soft breeze ruffling our hair. Several times, I thought I saw Dex open his mouth to say something, but he never spoke up. Closing my eyes, I tilted my face to the sun, enjoying the warmth on my skin.
Then I heard his voice.
“What are you doing tomorrow?”
“Working in the morning. Off in the afternoon.”
“If you’re not busy after work, would you like to come to a cookout?”
Sunday evening, I went over to my parents’ house for dinner, as usual. Because it was the last night of summer, my two younger sisters ate as fast as humanly possible and raced out the door, eager to eke out the last bit of fun before they started their junior year.
Millie and I lingered at the table out on the deck for a while with our mom and dad, drinking wine and chatting about last night’s wedding, the wine tasting dinner Ellie and I were organizing, and the new restaurant opening at Abelard.
“I can’t wait to try it,” my mom said. “I hear they hired one of the Lupo brothers to be head chef.”
“Gianni,” I said.
“He graduated with you, right?” my dad asked.
“Yes, and Ellie’s losing her mind.” I laughed, recalling the scene in the kitchen with them. “She can’t stand him.”
“He’s worked in some pretty famous restaurants though,” Millie said. “In New York, Rome, San Francisco. I just read an article about him. He’s supposed to be really talented. Kind of cocky for his age, but talented.”
“I thought he was on some Hollywood reality show.” My mom poured herself some more wine. “The same one his dad was on years ago.”
“He was, but he’s back.” I slid my glass over, and she poured more for me too. “I saw him at Abelard the other day.”
“Those Lupo boys were always a handful in school, weren’t they?” My mom laughed. “Little devils. But so cute.”
“Don’t say that in front of Ellie,” I told her.
“I ran into Mia last week,” my mom said. “She told me the delays with the restaurant have been a big headache, especially because they were hoping to live in France for a while.”
“They’re moving?” I paused with my glass halfway to my lips. “Ellie didn’t mention that.”
“I don’t think it’s for sure, but she said she’s always wanted to spend extended time there, and now that their youngest is off to college, they’re considering it.”
“Interesting,” my dad said. “I wonder if they’re hiring someone new to manage Abelard.”
“You should apply if they are, Winnie,” said Millie. “You’d be perfect for that job.”
I smiled at her. “Thanks. But actually, I think I have an offer somewhere else.”
“You do?” My sister reached over and slapped my arm. “Why didn’t you tell me already?”
“Because it’s not a sure thing yet.” I described Sandra Elson’s email and the position at The Alexander. “I’ll know more next week. She’s going to call me Tuesday.”
“That’s so exciting,” my sister said. “Will you take it?”
“I might, if the offer is right. It sounds like a dream job.” I hesitated, taking a sip of wine. “It’s just far away from home.”
“But you have to follow your passion,” my mother surprised me by saying. “You can’t be so scared of the unknown you let it keep you from taking a chance on something that could change your life.”
“I thought you’d hate the idea of my leaving,” I said with a chuckle. “And here you are telling me to go.”
“I do hate the idea of you leaving.” My mom laughed too, but her eyes misted over. “And I will miss you. But Dad told me about this the other day, so I’ve had time to rehearse my reaction and not say the selfish things I’m feeling.”
“Dad!” I thumped his shoulder. “I asked you not to say anything yet.”
“And I was careful not to make that promise. I tell her everything, I can’t help it.” My dad slung his arm around my mom’s shoulder and kissed her head.
It’s easy to talk to you. Dex’s words from earlier echoed through my head.
“Anyway,” I said, “it’s premature to talk about leaving yet. I want to hear the details from Sandra, and then I can make a decision.”
Later, Millie and I walked out together. “What are you up to tomorrow?” she asked.
“I have to work reception in the morning. Then I’m heading over to Dex’s sister’s house for a cookout.”
Millie laughed.
“What? It’s just a cookout,” I said defensively.
“I talked to Whitney today. She said you guys were at Cloverleigh all morning.”
“We were. She was awesome with the girls. I owe her one.”
“She said they were adorable.”
“They loved it. They didn’t stop talking about it the whole way home.”
“She also mentioned you and Dex looked pretty cozy together,” she said suggestively.
I shrugged. “I don’t know what made her say that.”
“I think it was just a feeling that you seemed comfortable with each other—like old friends,” Millie said. “She was surprised that you guys met recently.”
“Yeah. We clicked fast. Good chemistry, I guess.” I played with my keys. “But you can tell Whitney—like I keep telling you—there’s nothing serious between us.”
I didn’t have trouble meeting her eye, because it was the truth.
But damn.
Being the boss of my feelings was getting harder every day.
Sixteen
Dex
“Want to hear about the new story I’m writing?” Hallie asked Sunday night when I went in to say goodnight to the girls.
“Yes.” I sat down on the edge of her bed.
She hugged Rupert the penguin tight, resting her chin on his head. “It’s about a princess.”