Chapter 15
Fifteen
Tabitha
Lorenzo’s Italian restaurant is dated but adorably chic. The moment I step inside, the scent hits me—garlic, simmering tomatoes, fresh basil, and something warm and buttery.
The mismatched wooden tables and chairs are covered with red-and-white checkered cloths.
There’s a hand-painted mural on the back wall of Tuscan hills, rolling vineyards, a crooked little villa with laundry strung between windows.
The low croon of Dean Martin comes through hidden speakers.
The walls are cluttered with framed photos—family portraits, black-and-white wedding shots, a few Polaroids of smiling customers taped up near the register.
It’s not fancy.
It feels like love and carbs and old family stories.
A pretty woman greets us. “Angie!” she gushes. “And the rest of you.” Her gaze falls on me. “You must be Tabitha.”
Small-town life, I guess. Everyone knows everyone. Of course, all the Steels grew up here, as did Maddie, Angie’s sister-in-law.
I met Angie’s cousin Gina the last time I was here, but this is the first time I’m meeting Brianna Pike. She’s married to Jesse Pike, the lead male vocalist for Dragonlock.
She’s tall and gorgeous—not that I expected anything less—and dressed in a mini prairie skirt and red—yes, red—cowboy boots.
Must be nice to come from a family where everyone is beautiful.
I feel like the redheaded stepchild next to all of them, including Maddie.
I nod to our hostess. “I am. It’s very nice to meet you.”
“I’m Lisa. I own the place. We’re so happy to do your bridesmaid luncheon today.” She leans toward Angie. “We’ll be serving family-style from all of the dishes that you requested, Angie.”
“Please say it includes lasagna,” Brianna says.
“Of course,” Angie tells her. “I know how much you love your lasagna, Bree.”
“Always,” Brianna replies. “I have it as often as I can now. When we were growing up, we didn’t get to have much cheesy Italian food because of Diana’s lactose intolerance.”
Diana. She’s Brianna’s older sister, the one married to the drummer in the band.
The girls chuckle among themselves. I kind of feel like the odd woman out.
Until Angie grabs me. “You sit by me, okay?”
I cock my head. “Shouldn’t you sit by your maid of honor?”
She shrugs. “Sage will be on my other side. But you don’t know anybody here. Not really. I don’t want you to feel weird or anything.”
I’ve never been one to shy away from new situations. I can be the life of the party for sure. But here, with all of Angie’s family, I can’t help but feel like I’m in way over my head.
They’re all beautiful, and they’re all filthy rich.
I’m pretty and have a couple grand in the bank.
Plus I owe a lot in student loans.
We are not the same.
We all take a seat at a rectangular table that’s covered in yet another checkered tablecloth. In the center, of course, is an old Chianti bottle in a basket being used as a candle. A red taper sits inside, already lit.
A pretty blond girl wearing denim cutoffs and a T-shirt with the restaurant name underneath her apron walks to our table, a huge smile on her face.
“Hi, Nora,” Angie says.
“Angie,” Nora, apparently, greets her. “It’s so exciting to be here today to help you guys celebrate. I can’t wait for the wedding on Saturday.”
“I hope it lives up to your expectations,” Angie says.
“Well, the last Steel wedding I went to was a quadruple one,” Nora says, “but knowing your family, it will be a lavish affair.”
“Oh, it will be,” Brianna chimes in. “I’ll never forgive my sister for getting married in Denver without me. But at least we had a big party when she and Dragon came back to the Slope.”
“How’s Henry doing?” Nora asks Angie.
My ears perk up at that.
Were Nora and Henry an item at some time?
“He’s good,” Angie replies. “I don’t know if you know this, but he’s staying at our parents’ house for a while. He got a bug up his butt to completely redo his house, a huge undertaking. They’re busting out walls and everything, so he can’t live there while the work is going on.”
“What about the guesthouse?” Nora asks.
“Dave and I are living there,” Maddie pipes in. “Though our house is almost done. We’ll move in probably a week or so after the wedding.”
“Well,” Nora says. “You be sure to tell Henry I said hi.”
I stiffen. It’s only hi. But it’s clear from the look on Nora’s face and the tone of her voice that she’s interested in more than just saying hi to Henry.
Ugh. Why should I even be worrying about this? Henry was an ass to me last night. Nora can have him for all I care.
Except…I don’t want that.
“So,” Nora continues, “what would you all like to drink with your lunch today? Chianti?”
“Maybe one glass,” Angie says. “What’s Italian food without Chianti? But I can’t overindulge. We have the rehearsal dinner this evening at my parents’ place. And then of course the wedding tomorrow.”
“How about I bring a bottle?” Nora says. “Then whoever wants some can have some.”
“Sound okay to you guys?” Angie asks the rest of us.
Murmurs of yes. I wasn’t planning to have any alcohol until this evening, but I’m so on edge. A drink might help.
“I’ll bring some water too,” Nora says. “Would any of you like anything else? A soft drink or some other kind of wine?”
“I’d love a Diet Coke,” Brianna says.
“Make that two.” Maddie smiles.
“Three.” From Gina.
She looks at me. “And you…”
“Oh my gosh, I’m sorry,” Angie says. “Nora, this is Tabitha. My best friend from med school.”
“Great to meet you, Tabitha.” She beams at me. “How do you like Snow Creek so far?”
“I was here for a little while at the end of January,” I tell her. “But I didn’t get to spend too much time in town.”
“You should take a walk after lunch,” Nora says. “We have a great little antique shop. And, if you’re into it, our tattoo parlor is one of the best in the state.”
Hmm… A tattoo…
I’ve never had a tattoo. I’ve kind of always wanted one, but I could never decide on the right design.
“You can stop at Rita’s too,” Maddie says. “She makes the best cookies.”
“I’m sure I’ll have time for that after the wedding. I’m not sure what Angie has—”
“Oh, stay in town if you’d like to, Tabs.” Angie smiles. “I have to get back and help, but we have a pretty good rideshare community in town. You can pick one up at any time and have them drive you back.”
Hanging out in town. It doesn’t sound like such a bad idea. I could use some alone time, just to decompress from last night. Reading Persuasion and ruminating on that love letter sure didn’t help.
“Maybe I will.”
“I could stay with you,” Maddie says. “It’s been a while since I perused the antique shop, and with David and me moving into our house soon, I’d love to see what they have.”
Not exactly what I had in mind… Maddie seems nice and all, but I hardly know her.
But I paste on a smile. “Sure, I’d love to have your company.”
“It’s a date, then,” Maddie says. “I’m glad to be able to get to know you better.”
Nora brings the wine and pours glasses for Angie, Maddie, and me.
“Where’s your mom?” Nora asks. “I thought she was coming with you.”
“She decided to stay home at the last minute,” Angie says. “She said I needed some girl time. I think she’s right.”
“What are the rest of you doing after lunch?” Nora asks.
“I’ve got an appointment with Willow over at the salon,” Brianna offers. “I’m getting some highlights for the wedding.”
“I’m getting a massage,” Gina says. “I’ve heard the new guy Willow just hired is amazing.”
Nora nods. “He is. I had an appointment with him last week. In fact, I was his first massage. The man has magic hands.”
Massage…
Now that sounds perfect.
I don’t let myself have a massage very often. Only once or twice a year. It’s a luxury, and I can’t afford too many of those.
“I wonder if he has some time today,” I say.
“God, if only…” Maddie agrees. “You and I could get massages after we go antiquing.”
“Mine is right after lunch,” Gina says. “But why don’t you come over with me before you start antiquing, and we can ask him?”
“Sounds like a plan,” Maddie says.
Nora finishes pouring the wine and then hands out the Diet Cokes and the waters. “Food will be out in just a few minutes.”
A moment later, Nora returns with our salads. “Lisa’s special Caesar, as requested by the bride-to-be.”
The salad looks amazing, except for the tiny fish sitting on top. I wrinkle my nose.
“You okay?” Nora asks.
“Yeah. I just don’t do fish on salads.”
“I’m so sorry.” Nora grabs my plate. “I’ll get you another right away.”
“Please don’t bother. I’ll just take it off.”
“Don’t be silly,” Angie says. “No one can make you eat fish. But this is a white anchovy, and it’s actually quite delicious.”
Maddie, who’s sitting across from me, laughs. “I always take mine off too, Tabitha. Don’t feel bad.”
I smile at her.
Already I know I like Maddie. She’s definitely more down to earth than Brianna and Gina. Even Angie.
She didn’t come from money like they did. She came from a family that had to work hard to make ends meet, just like I did.
Of course, then she married a Steel. So now she never has to worry about money again.
No such luck for me. The only Steel whose eye I’ve caught has turned out to be a bit of a dick.
I hold back a sigh as Nora brings me a fresh salad. I spear a crouton with my fork and bring it to my mouth.
Wowza.
The outside is golden and crisp, toasted just to the edge of dark, with a slight chew still tucked inside from the bread it used to be.
Olive oil is soaked into the crust, and it’s laced with garlic and maybe a little dried thyme or rosemary. Just the perfect amount of salt, too.
“This might be the best thing I’ve ever put into my mouth,” I can’t help saying.
“That’s what she said!” Brianna laughs from the other side of the table.
My cheeks warm.
“Lisa’s croutons are legendary,” Angie says. “All homemade.”
“I can tell.” I take another crouton, adding some greens to it this time.
Maddie smiles from across the table and nods slightly.
She understands.
Already I know we’re going to get along fabulously. I’m actually looking forward to our antiquing. Not that I’ll be able to buy anything, but who cares? I’ll live vicariously through Maddie.
The server sets the lasagna down first—thick, steaming layers of pasta, meat, and cheese with a rich red sauce that fills the air with the smell of garlic and tomato.
The cheese on top is browned and bubbling.
Next comes a platter of chicken marsala, the cutlets thin and golden and nestled in a glossy sauce of mushrooms and cooked wine.
The smell is rich and earthy. Then a large bowl of penne tossed in a light cream sauce with peas and bits of pancetta.
Garlic bread follows, piled into a basket.
We pass the dishes around the table, stacking plates and making room as the food makes its way to everyone. Once everyone is served, I’m ready to dig in. I’m just not sure where to start.
Angie’s phone buzzes. She stares at the screen and squeals. “Yay! Jason’s here, and he and Henry are coming into town to join us for dessert!”
Henry.
I’m filled with ambivalence. Except that’s not true. My heart is already racing at the thought of seeing him.
Didn’t Angie say no men allowed this morning when Marjorie suggested inviting Angie’s father?
Probably not the time to bring it up.
Nora, who’s refilling water glasses, perks up at Henry’s name. “Are they on their way?”
“Yeah,” Angie says. “Henry got Jason settled at the house, and they’re about a half hour away.”
“Terrific!” Nora gives a bright smile.
Yeah, terrific.
Just what I need.
Henry here. Nora flirting relentlessly with him.
While I’m still sore.
From his cold attitude.
And from his dick pummeling me last night.