Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
“I don’t pretend to be wise, but I am observing, and I see a great deal more than you’d imagine.” ~Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
“ T his sex lasagna is pretty tasty,” Summer teased, pitching her voice in a low, seductive tone.
“There are multiple layers.” Nat winked, not being the least bit embarrassed by the teasing from her friend, with whom she’d shared the entire story the moment she walked into the Little Red Barn.
Both were too tired from long workdays to venture far for their dinner date. Nat reheated the leftover lasagna, while Summer brought a salad and a piece of chocolate peanut butter pie to share from the café.
“God, I miss multiple layers,” Summer whined with the fury of a five-year-old forced to eat spinach.
“I’m sure Todd would offer to assist you with that.”
Summer kicked Nat’s calf. The two sat on the couch, bare feet up on the coffee table and plates balanced on their laps.
“He’s so into you.” Nat pointed her fork at Summer. “He’s got that whole sexy Prince Harry thing going on. Is it because he’s a ginger? Are you a gingeriest?”
“The only man in my life is Liam.” She waved her off. “So, will Stud Muffin be coming over tonight?”
“We didn’t plan on it.” Nat sat up, placing the plate on the coffee table before her and shifting her legs underneath her.
“You mean you’re not taking full advantage of this little love nest for the next five and a half days before Clayton and Elle come home?”
Face scrunched, Nat’s head tilted to the right. “Fair point.”
“So, I know this is a secret, but why? Clayton doesn’t seem the unreasonable type.” She forked her last bite of pasta.
“You’ve not experienced him when I have a boyfriend. He’s never liked any of them.”
“Well, after meeting Duncan, I can understand.”
It was beneath a very mature doctor, but Nat pinched her side.
“Asshole,” Summer giggled.
“They weren’t all like Duncan. I only had two other boyfriends. One in college for two years and one in the first year of medical school. They were nice guys, just not…”
“Noah,” Summer finished the sentence, her expression smug.
“Fuck,” Nat gasped. “Duncan said I never gave him a chance.”
“That’s because he’s a dick.”
“True, but the other two boyfriends I dated said the same thing. They both complained that I always had one foot out of the relationship.”
“That’s because you’re in love with Noah. It’s hard to give your heart away when it already belongs to someone else.” Summer shifted, placing her empty plate on the table and sitting crossed leg.
“That’s ridiculous. I’m not in love with Noah. I know I can be a little fanciful at times but I’m not na?ve enough to think I fell in love with him. Yes, I care about him. I’ve crushed on him for far longer than is appropriate outside of a Bront? novel, but I’m not in love with him. I mean, we only just started seeing each other.”
Summer gave her a “Sure, tell yourself that” look.
“Fine, if I’m in love with Noah, then you admit that you like Todd,” Nat said in a tone equivalent to a three-year-old sticking their tongue out.
Summer narrowed her chocolaty eyes. “Back to my original point. I don’t think Clayton will be angry. It may be an adjustment, but he already knows what a great guy Noah is. Also, I think your parents would be happy. Everybody loves him. Liam is very picky with new people and he took to Noah like a fish to water.”
“It’s complicated.”
If you only knew how complicated. Eyes closed, the memories blew through her like a howling wind. Each swirled and nipped with the icy breath of regret. Tension shivered down her spine and sputtered across each muscle.
Summer linked their fingers. “I’m a good listener.”
“I…”
It was as if she’d forgotten how to speak. The story was there, but the words couldn’t or wouldn’t form. There’s such a thin line between couldn’t and wouldn’t.
Summer squeezed her hand. “When you’re ready, I’m here.”
She leaned her head on Summer’s shoulder. “And when you’re ready to admit you’re hot for the Prince Harry of Perry, I’m here.”
“Asshole.” Summer chuckled, wrapping her arm around Nat.