“That sounds marvelous!” Karen entered the den, beaming. “You and Kingston can use the pool anytime you want to. How about tomorrow after church?”
“Uh,” Olivia said.
“I’m sure she’s busy, Mother.” He turned to her. “Right, Olivia?”
For the first time in her life, her brain went dead. Somewhere in the recesses, she sensed she should agree with Kingston and take the escape he was offering her. But Karen was incandescent with glee at the thought of the two of them swimming together.
“Surely you can spare an hour or two,” Karen said, her anticipation-filled eyes latching onto Olivia. “All work and no play is no fun, after all.”
Nuts.Now she fully understood why Kingston had a hard time telling his mom no. She’d witnessed Karen eliciting a positive response from others, but she’d never been on the receiving end. Not like this. There was something abouther expression, her tone of voice, and the way she literally would not quit staring at Olivia until she acquiesced. “Sure,” she squeaked, just to make Karen stop looking at her. “I’m, uh, free.”
“Splendid!” Karen’s grin was dazzling, and she clapped softly. “And on that note, dinner is served.”
As she walked away, Kingston turned to Olivia. “I’ll talk to her and tell her you’ve got other plans—”
“No.” If she was committed to their scheme, she needed to be 100percent on board. “It’s fine. I’ll meet you here around two, if that works for you.”
His expression uncertain, he nodded. “All right. As long as you’re sure.”
“I am.”
He stood and held out his hand. She hesitated, still trying to get her bearings. Oh, right. He was helping her off the couch. She didn’t need help, but Karen was probably lurking around the corner watching them, so she took his hand and tried to ignore how warm and strong it was.
Surprising her, he bent down. “If at any time you want to cancel tomorrow, you let me know.”
She nodded and smiled. “Thank you.”
He straightened and looked at their hands together, then at her. His eyebrow lifted, questioning.
She got the message. Showtime. She linked her fingers with his and headed for the door, making a mental note to text Harper later to help her find a swimsuit. She didn’t even own one.
***
Not only had his mother outdone herself with the meal, but Kingston was also blown away by how much he was enjoying the evening. Naturally, his mom had made a romantic meal, with lobster tail—she was on a lobster kick, apparently—and steak with all the trimmings and chocolate-covered strawberries for dessert. She’d also set the stage for romance in the large dining room by removing the leaves in the table. Now it seated four people, but she’d placed only two chairs on opposite sides. “I tasted the food so many times while I was preparing it,” Mom had said when he asked where her chair was.“I’m stuffed. Your father is on call at the hospital tonight, so you two enjoy. Let me know if you need anything.”
Over a candlelight dinner, he and Olivia talked with the same relaxed affability they had over at Bea’s. He’d even offered to cancel tomorrow’s swimmingdateagain, but she refused. And he was glad she did. The thought of Olivia in a swimsuit... he cleared his throat.
“The lobster is delicious.” Olivia dipped a small piece into clarified butter. “I feel so spoiled.”
“Me too. Mom goes over the top, but she does love to make an elaborate meal. Most people think she caters in food. She probably could, but I don’t think she’ll ever give up cooking. It’s the only domestic activity she does anymore.”
“I’m not big on cooking,” Olivia said. “Aunt Bea taught me how to, and I can make a decent meal if I set my mind to it, but I’m out of practice.”
“It’s hard cooking for one. I find it easier to order in or make a sandwich.” He scooped a forkful of golden baked sweet potato. Fancy meal or not, it was fairly healthy.
“My aunt keeps me well stocked too.”
He nodded and was about to take another bite of the sweet potato when he heard soft jazz music filter through the sound system in the house.
Olivia smiled. “Guess dance lessons are up next.”
“We’re not even finished with our meal.” He frowned. He’d expected his mother to do a full-court press, but she was being ridiculous. He started to say that to Olivia, but he saw her swaying slightly to the music as she enjoyed the lobster. If she was bothered by Mom’s preposterousness, she didn’t show it. He had noticed her discomfort about swimming, though, and her shock when his mother had suggested using the pool tomorrow. Now he was glad she had. He was eager to teach Olivia how to swim.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen. Sunny. He started to answer it, then stopped. He was supposed to be turning over a new leaf, and part of that was not allowing interruptions. With a mental shrug, he slipped the phone back into his pocket. She’d leave a message if she wanted him to call her back.
He picked up a strawberry and grinned. “My mother is as subtle as an iceberg.”
Olivia laughed. “More like a dozen of them.”
