Page 71

“You’re starting to feel the tugging for more than just group reading time.”

“Always. That’s a given. I can’t be within feet of Aster and not want every part of her to be mine.”

Tyler rested her chin in her hand. “That’s incredibly poetic. Sage never says anything like that to me.”

“Don’t discount the light bulbs.”

“Good point.” Her eyes lit up. “We could be sisters in-law if this goes well.”

Brynn held out a hand. “No. You’re way ahead of yourself, and the house of cards is wobbling as a result. You must stop. Reverse. That’s not what we’re talking about.”

“It’s what I’m imagining, and I’m pregnant and uncomfortable and legit always hungry, so it’s allowed. Card house be damned. Trumped by the angry preggo lady.”

Brynn closed her mouth. Hard to argue with that. “It’s just gotten to that point where it feels like something is about to give, and I’m just not sure what it’s going to be.” She reflected on her time with Aster recently. They met up at the dog park most days of the week unless one of them was pulled for work. They filled the time with books, dogs, talkof their days, and more books. They’d started sitting closer. Gradually. An unspoken decision that threw fuel on the fire that flickered between them. God, everything felt like liquid heat lately. Brynn’s face would flush at work when she just thought about taking things further with Aster. Her body would go to Jell-O. Was it possible that passion grew over time like sexy flowers in a garden? Because she remembered lusting after Aster, but it had literally turned into a full-time job.

“I like this ring,” Brynn had said the day before, picking up Aster’s hand and running her thumb over the silver butterfly pinkie ring. “It’s really pretty.” It was even more pretty on her. Everything was.

“I bought it to remind myself that I was not the same awkward girl with the inability to talk to people. And that people can grow and change. Do you believe that?”

“Yes. Of course they can. You’ve changed a lot in the time I’ve known you. The butterfly is fitting, and that’s a compliment.” But as they talked, she was taking in the feel of Aster’s hand in hers, the weight, the way her fingers, slender with neatly trimmed nails, sent a shiver. She remembered those fingertips against her skin, exploring, tracing torturous patterns. She could feel them now. “Anyway. It’s a really pretty ring.” She returned Aster’s hand to her lap and tried to distract herself with the least sexy thoughts she could conjure. Garbage in the summer. Spoiled milk. Pink and red on the same shirt. Republican politicians having lunch. None of them eclipsed her earlier thoughts.

Tyler brought her out of it. “I don’t know where you went just now, but it looked like a really great time, and I would love for you to spend more time there.”

“In fantasyland? I live there way too much. Do not encourage me.” She placed both hands on top of her head. “I fear I might be broken.”

“And I know a great way to get fixed.” Tyler bounced her eyebrows. “Fun, too.”

“Did you say you need something fixed?” Sage asked, appearing in a toolbelt.

Tyler smiled, fanned herself. Even Brynn had to admit he looked hot. “Those Lavenders,” Tyler said.

Brynn slumped back in her chair. “Tell me about it. No one has a chance.”

Chapter Seventeen

Marilyn’s had come a long way. From the worn-down building she’d snatched up from the bank to the upscale eatery she hoped would fill a niche in not only the Homer’s Bluff community but the surrounding towns as well. Kansas had a lot of great places to eat, but the rural areas lacked the finesse she’d experienced in Boston, and she knew for a fact that the people would appreciate a nice place to go for a special occasion, a date, or merely to sample some dishes outside the diner’s normal fare. Kimble’s had had the market all to themselves for way too long.

“What do you think of going with the coconut shrimp and the blackened prime rib for opening night specials?” she asked Wesley, her general manager. She snatched him from Wichita and had been very impressed with his restaurant knowledge and ability to bring Marilyn’s together.

“I was hoping you’d go with the shrimp, and the prime rib gives the meat lovers their dream come true. A win-win. Did we decide on napkins folded or rolled with the silver?”

“Folded, please.” It felt like the decisions were endless, but they were at the finish line. She just had to keep pushing. While she had herself scheduled in the kitchen most nights in the early days after opening, it was her hope as time went on to hand over more responsibility to her team of chefs. Allow herself the chance to have a life outside of work.

But on opening night, it was like the stars aligned. The people showed up on time for the reservations, her staff put out their best food, and she kept her head down and eye on not only turning out quality dishes but making sure each plate was to her high standards.

“Table fourteen. Last of the night.” She snagged the ticket. “Truffle chips and fondue. Two braised short ribs, one scallop dish, and one branzino.”

Her small team of chefs got to work, and because they were the last table of the night, Aster threw in a few slices of butter cake on the house, smothered with her special sauce.

As she walked to her car, triumphant and relieved that she’d not fallen on her face in front of the town or, worse, disgraced her mother’s name, emotion curled up tight in her chest. She’d asked her family and friends to let her open before coming out, and they’d honored her wishes. Most had reservations for the next day, including Brynn, who would dine with Tyler and Sage at one of their best tables. Her father was all set up with Violet and Marigold, and Ethan had a babysitter for the night. She was truly looking forward to it, especially now that she had her feet wet.

The parking lot was mostly empty, but next to her car sat Brynn’s white SUV. She’d know that rainbow license plate holder anywhere. Sitting on the hood, holding a sweating bottle of champagne and two plastic flutes, was the woman herself.

Aster broke into a grin. “You’re not supposed to be here. What in the world?”

She hopped off the car in jeans, red sneakers, and a white and blue Cubs jersey. God. That look just wasn’t fair. Was there matching lingerie beneath? “It’s not like I could let tonight go by without laying eyes on you and saying congratulations.”

Aster smiled, her bones going to liquid from the combination of exhaustion and now exhilaration. “You didn’t have to.”