Not So Easy (The NOT Series Book 4)

Chapter 10

Tiny fingers wrappedaround my thumb and my heart melted. “Becca, he’s perfect.”

The exhausted mother smiled. “He is, isn’t he? Sometimes I just stare at him, wondering how I could love anyone this much.”

I had to admit, holding him in my lap, staring into his big brown eyes, and marveling at the full head of dark hair did create a slight tug in the vicinity of my ovaries. But then he farted, his face twisted into a very displeased expression, and he let out a loud wail.

Ovaries came back to reality.

“I’ve got him,” Jacob said, charging into the room and sweeping his son into his arms. He cooed as the pair disappeared around the corner, and Noah calmed before they were even out of sight.

As my friend watched her little family leave the room, I watched her. The happiness on her face was the best thing I’d seen in days. “They’re both perfect,” I said. “You owe Lindsey at least a new car.”

She laughed. “You forget that I technically met him by chance before she set us up.”

“Yes, but you nearly blew it, remember? She’s the one who pulled out the assist in the end.”

Now Becca made an unpleasant face. “I don’t like to think about things not working out.”

“There’s no need to,” I said, waving her words away. “You two were clearly meant to be.”

We fell into a comfortable silence, until she said, “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

I shrugged. “What do you mean?”

She tilted her head. “It’s Sunday afternoon. We both know where you’re supposed to be. Spill.”

I’d debated all week about whether to attend Sunday dinner. By Wednesday I’d decided that if they apologized for second-guessing my decision and the assumptions they made about the neighborhood, I would go. The apology never came.

Mom called on Thursday and left me a voicemail about someone at her church looking for a photographer, but there was no mention of the discussion over dinner, let alone an apology. I knew how they operated. They assumed I’d come to dinner and we’d all pretend the argument never happened. In the back of their minds, they assumed I’d come around and see the situation just like they did.

That was not going to happen.

“We had a disagreement over dinner last week.”

“You and your parents?” she asked.

“Yeah.” Plucking a cat hair off my pants, I sighed. “They think I made a mistake buying Bammy’s house, and that I shouldn’t want to live in that neighborhood. I really don’t get it. That’s where Dad grew up. How could he not feel the same attachment to the place that I do?”

“His childhood was probably different from yours. Wasn’t your grandfather a bit unreliable when they were kids?”

“Yeah, but Pops still managed to build that house for his family. Shouldn’t that make it mean even more to him?”

Her expression softened and Becca joined me on the couch. “We all live with our own ghosts, hon. Maybe his are in that house.”

Maybe, but he’d never said anything to give that impression.

“I don’t think that’s it. They keep bringing up the property value and how much money I’m putting into the house.” Curling my legs under me, I leaned my head on the back of the sofa. “You guys brought it up during breakfast that one time, too. I get that this isn’t the best neighborhood in the city, but it isn’t the worst either. Calvin has flipped a bunch of houses, and he’s working hard to improve the area.”

“He sounds like a good guy.”

“He is. If Mom and Dad would come see what he’s done, they’d understand and stop giving me a hard time.”

Becca mimicked my pose. “Have you told them that?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I did.”

“What did they say?”

“Nothing, and other than a message about someone looking for a photographer, I haven’t heard from either of them since.” Becca’s cat Milo leapt onto the couch and curled up between us. “You know, they never come visit me. If I didn’t go over there every week, I’d never see them.”

“Have you invited them over?”

“I’ve offered to host the Sunday dinner several times, and they always give some excuse why we need to keep it at their place. Now I’m realizing that maybe this is part of buying the house. Like, if I have my own home, they’ll be willing to come to me.”

Becca reached over Milo to rub my knee. “I’m sorry they’ve made you feel that way. If it’s any consolation, us girls are behind you all the way. We can’t wait to see it all finished and have countless girls’ nights on your couch.”

Whoever said chosen family isn’t the best never met my friends.

“My door will always be open, but you have to promise me one thing.”

“Of course, anything.”

“I get first dibs on babysitting the little bugger.”

The new mother squirmed. “Oh, I… um…”

Letting her off the hook, I laughed. “I’m kidding. I mean, I fully intend to spoil him rotten every chance I get, and I will keep a special basket of toys just for him, but I also don’t want to fight your mother to get my hands on him.”

Relaxing, she wiped imaginary sweat from her forehead. “Oh, thank goodness. Mom has already declared that she’s keeping him once I go back to work, and she’s been finding excuses to come by nearly every day since we came home from the hospital.”

“Will she have him when Jacob is out of school for the summer?”

“Not all the time, but we haven’t figured out how to tell her that yet.”

“Tell who what?” asked Josie as she, Megan, and Lindsey strolled into the apartment. Becca hadn’t mentioned they were coming over.

“My mother that Jacob will keep the baby during the summer.” Becca scooted over to make room for one of the girls. “We still have a couple of weeks before school is out so there’s no rush to bring it up.”

Josie swept up Milo and plopped down between me and Becca. “So what’s up? Why aren’t you at your parents’ for dinner?”

How had Becca sent out an alert without me knowing?

“They aren’t supportive of the house project,” Becca answered for me. “Which makes no sense.”

“Isn’t that the house your dad grew up in?” Lindsey asked, settling onto the oversized stool.

“Yeah, it is. They think I should buy a place in a better part of town. Preferably, near them.”

Megan took a seat in the new rocking chair. “I can understand them wanting you close to them.”

“Dormont to Southside isn’t exactly a road trip,” I replied. “It’s close enough. They still see the area the way it used to be, but, like I told Becca, Calvin has really worked to improve the whole block. As have other residents. They take pride in where they grew up, and where, for some of them, their families have lived for generations.”

“Your dad doesn’t have that same connection?” Lindsey asked.

“Apparently not.”

Jacob returned from the bedroom with Noah high on his shoulder. Upon finding the room much fuller than when he’d left, he stopped and looked around. “Is this one of those girl talks?”

For years our group had operated with one unbreakable rule. If one of us says we need a girls chat, the rest stop what we’re doing to participate. I hadn’t been the one to order this gathering, but I was clearly the reason for it.

“The guys are waiting for you outside.” Megan hopped from her chair with arms outstretched. “I’ll take the baby.”

Jacob laughed as he handed Noah over. “I guess I’m going out then.”

Megan settled back into her seat while Jacob navigated around the coffee table to give his wife a kiss goodbye. Once the door clicked shut behind him, I made my feelings known.

“This was totally unnecessary. I skipped one Sunday dinner. That doesn’t call for an official meeting.”

“This isn’t about you,” Becca said. “We’re here to discuss Megan’s wedding.”

“Oh.” Self-centered much, Donna? I felt like a jerk. “What about the wedding?”

“Is there trouble in paradise?” Lindsey asked. “Are you calling it off?”

“No,” Megan answered. “Of course not. The problem is we still don’t have a location.”

Considering one of us was a professional event planner, this seemed like an odd topic to bring to the group. “What about that one out by Beaver you looked at?”

Becca shook her head. “Too far.”

“There isn’t a single hall or church with an open weekend this fall?” Josie asked.

Megan remained silent with her attention on the baby, while Becca shifted in her seat. “None that fit what the couple have in mind.”

If someone had told me Megan would be a difficult bride, I’d never have believed them.

“What do they have in mind?” Lindsey asked.

Again, Megan stayed quiet, leaving Becca to answer.

“Small and intimate that would hold around fifty to seventy-five people. In the city,” she continued, “but not a place that’s hard to get to or doesn’t offer parking. Oh, and not a church.”

A silence fell over the room as we all exchanged glances. Everyone except Megan, who continued to coo at Noah and pretend we weren’t talking about her.

“That’s quite specific,” Josie pointed out. “I assume you guys have looked at all the options that meet that description?”

Becca nodded. “We have. At least the ones that I know of. I’m hoping one of you might have an idea. Anyone heard of a new venue, or even a place that maybe doesn’t typically hold weddings that could be persuaded?”

I ran through all the usual places in my head, but they would be the same ones Becca already knew about. Then I remembered there was a new venue in town. Would the couple use it was the question.

“There’s a newer one you might not have heard of yet.”

“Really?” Becca said.

Megan finally looked up from the baby. “Where?”

“Not far from my new place, actually. It’s called Hickamore House and it’s been completely redone in the last year. The sign out front says they do weddings, but I don’t know the capacity or what the inside looks like.”

Josie pulled out her phone. “They must have a website.” A few clicks later she spun the phone my way. “Is this it?”

There on her screen was the beautiful white house a few blocks from mine. “That’s it.”

“Let me see,” Megan handed Noah off to Becca and squeezed herself onto the couch, practically sitting in Josie’s lap. “That’s so pretty. Is there a photo gallery of the inside?”

Josie explored the website and found a collection of pictures. Peeking over her shoulder, I spotted at least four perfect wedding photo locations. The layout was open but still cozy with plenty of the original architectural details intact. Soft modern colors ensured nothing looked dated. In fact, the entire design gave off a timeless feel.

Megan snatched the phone from Josie’s hand and turned it to face Becca. “This is perfect. Can we go see this? Do you think they’re open today? Can we call them?”

Becca tapped the screen, then made a face. “Says their office hours are Monday through Friday and tours are by appointment only. I’ll forward the info to Amanda and have her call in the morning.”

I pulled out my own phone. “Calvin renovated it. Let me message him and see if he can get you in.”

“Do you think he’d do that?” Megan asked, spinning on Josie’s lap.

“You’re killing me, woman.” Josie shoved her off to the side and moved to the chair Megan had exited, taking Noah with her as she went. “You gals deal with the wedding stuff while I get my baby time.”

“I’m next,” Lindsey declared as I typed the message into my phone.

Within seconds, Calvin replied and I read the message aloud. “I can be there in twenty if she wants to see it.”

Megan bounced with excitement. “I can see it today? For real?”

I let him know it would take us a little longer than that to get there, but we’d see him in thirty. When he sent back an affirmative reply, I flashed her a smile. “For real. I told him we’ll be there in half an hour.”

The tiny bride-to-be thrust herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “You’re my hero, Donna.”

Hugging her back, I said, “We don’t know if this will work yet. I’m just getting you in the door.”

She placed a wet kiss on my cheek. “It’s going to be perfect. I know it.” Scrambling off the couch, she hurried to the door and grabbed her shoes. “Let’s go.” When no one moved, she looked up with one sneaker in the air. “What’s wrong? Why isn’t anyone else getting their shoes on?”

“Becca can’t go,” Lindsey said. “None of us have room for the car seat, and we sent Jacob off with the guys, remember?”

Megan’s face fell. “Oh, Right.”

“I don’t have to be there,” Becca said. “Facetime me while you walk around. That’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure?” Linds asked.

The new mother waved off the question. “Of course. Megan is the one who needs to see it, and if this is the place she wants, then we can get on with the planning.”

The rest of us rose to our feet and Josie passed the baby back to his mother.

“I’ll drive,” I said. The three women stopped moving. “My car is fixed,” I explained. “No more stalling.”

“Since when?” Josie asked.

“Since I left it with an old friend who has a garage last week. He not only fixed the problem, he rotated the tires, changed the oil, and gave her a tune up. Old Loretta is like a new woman. Err… car.”

Megan hurried into her shoes. “Okay, then. Let’s go see where I’m gonna to get married.”

The pressure was suffocating.What if this place was awful? What if the reality didn’t match the pictures? I didn’t even know if there was parking or where the actual wedding would take place. The website only showed a few rooms inside, which were all lovely, but none of them suited either the ceremony or a reception.

What I also didn’t think about until we arrived was that my friends were about to meet Calvin. Why that felt like a big deal I didn’t know, nor did I want to think too deeply about it. Like I’d said before, he was my contractor and nothing more.

Though maybe we were becoming friends. Still. This meeting shouldn’t feel any different than introducing my friends to anyone else I knew.

Pulling into the entrance on the left side of the house, I followed the drive around to the back to a good sized parking area. Probably not big enough for too large a gathering, but better than nothing. There were other lots within a block or two plus additional street parking.

Across the parking lot from the house was a two-story structure with two large bay doors on the lower left side, a stretch of windows along the upper left, and what looked more like accommodation space on the right. The dark gray building with black accents was much more modern than the house, but maybe because they weren’t attached the structure didn’t look completely out of place.

Calvin’s truck was parked near a rear entrance to the house. “I think we go in this way,” I said, leading the group to the small back porch.

Before I could knock, the door swung open. “Hey,” Calvin said. He wore his trademark overalls, and I was starting to think the man slept in those things. “Come on in.”

Accepting the invitation, we each walked past him into what could only be called a dream kitchen. Soaring ceilings, white cabinetry, a square center island, stainless steel appliances, and the most gorgeous counter tops I’d ever seen glistened in the light pouring through the window over the sink.

“Look at the floor,” Megan whispered almost reverently. The large rectangular tiles looked like marble and featured the same veining as the counter tops. “This is kitchen heaven.”

“If the rest of the house looks like this,” Josie said, “I might have to move in.”

With a chuckle, Calvin said, “No long term rental option, sorry.”

I made the introductions, explaining that Calvin was not only renovating Bammy’s house, he’d also led the renovation on this place. As my friends complimented their surroundings, I realized how lucky I was to have him as my contractor.

I then went through each of my friends, explained that Megan was the one getting married, and let him know the wedding planner involved couldn’t join us due to recently giving birth.

“It’s nice to meet all of you, and I look forward to meeting the planner when she’s available.” To Megan he said, “Do you have a date for the wedding?”

Hesitantly, she said, “We’re aiming for October fifth of this year. Are you booked for that day?”

Calvin checked something in his phone, then shook his head. “Not yet.”

Megan practically danced with joy around the island.

“We haven’t seen the rest of the place, yet,” Lindsey reminded her. “Chill your pants.”

Our friend composed herself, but excitement still shone in her eyes. “I’m just happy to have an option,” she said.

I really hoped the rest of the house didn’t disappoint. “Where do you guys hold the ceremonies?” I asked.

“That’s the building out back.” Calvin nodded toward the door we’d come in. “We can start out there.”

Seconds later we stepped into the gray building, but the outside did nothing to prepare us for what we found inside. The space was wide and open with gorgeous wood floors, tons of light, and even a bar in the back corner.

“As you might guess, this is where your ceremony would be. Do you know how many guests you’re looking at?”

“We’ve whittled it down to sixty-five,” Megan replied.

“We can hold a hundred so that’s no problem. Weather permitting, we open the bay doors so the party can flow in and out, but the doors are also good for loading in equipment for a band or DJ. You also have the option of getting married in the courtyard, but some couples don’t like to chance the weather. Especially here in Pittsburgh.”

“Where’s the courtyard?” Josie asked.

“Around the corner from the parking lot on the other side of the house. The space is suited for about seventy-five attendees, so it fits your count.”

“If we choose to do it all inside, would the ceremony and reception be in here?”

“Yeah, we have a cocktail space upstairs where you would do drinks and appetizers while we transition this level for the reception.”

They’d really thought of everything. “If the event happens out here, what’s the house for?”

“Rental comes with full run of both buildings so typically the wedding party or family members stay in the house for a day or two leading up to the event. You’d also have to bring in your own caterer, and they’d have full access to the kitchen. There’s a staging area in that back corner where they could serve from.” He pointed to the corner down from the bar. “But most preparation would take place in the house.”

“Does that mean the bride would get ready in the house and have to walk over here for the wedding?” Lindsey asked. “What if it’s raining?”

Calvin started walking. “We have an answer for that.” We followed like ducklings behind him as he pointed down a narrow hall on our left. “This is the bathroom area for the guests.” Still moving, he said, “And this is where the bride would get ready.” Sweeping open a set of dark double doors, he led us into a beautiful bedroom with a large vanity, a king size bed, and random chairs and loveseats placed around the perimeter.

“Holy shazizzle,” Lindsey mumbled. “This is huge.”

“Why a bed, though?” Josie asked. “In a dressing room?”

“This can double as a wedding night suite,” he answered. “Sometimes the couple doesn’t leave for their honeymoon until the next day. This is an option so they don’t have to go home or get a hotel when the party is over.”

“Or if they want to ditch out of the party and do some celebrating on their own.” Lindsey walked past the vanity and peeked around the corner. “Guys, this shower is bigger than my entire bathroom.”

We all shuffled over to see for ourselves.

“That’s for one person?” Megan asked.

Josie patted her on the shoulder. “It’s for two, hon. You know, the happy couple. Though you could probably fit up to six if you wanted.”

“At the same time?”

Heat shot up my cheeks as I caught Calvin’s questioning gaze. “She’s a librarian,” I said, as if this conversation needed an explanation. “Can we see the rest of the house?”

“Sure. Follow me.”