Olivia exited the shower and put her ear against the door. Nothing. She stood back, ready to leave, then changed her mind and used the bathroom. After washing her hands, she opened the door. Anita stood there, poised to knock.
“Are you okay?” Her brow furrowed. “You were gone so long I was worried about you.”
“I’m fine.” Olivia forced a smile. She hated deceiving Anita. Fortunately, it was only temporary.Verytemporary. “How about we try some of the apple fritters Tanner brought?”
Anita frowned. “How did you know he brought those?”
Olivia froze. Anita hadn’t mentioned the dessert, and Olivia hadn’t spoken to Tanner. “I, uh, heard you two talking in the hallway. Let’s go get some. I’m sure you’re hungry, eating for two.” Olivia headed down the hall, Anita behind her.
“I am hungry. Again.” Anita caught up with Olivia as they entered the kitchen. “I hope Mom still has some leftover liverwurst.”
Olivia’s stomach turned as Anita went straight to the fridge. She saw Kingston and Tanner sitting at the kitchen bar, Kingston shoving a fritter into his mouth. Karen stood behind the counter, a mix of happiness and horror on her face.
“Have you ever considered making alightdessert,Tanner?” Karen eyed the pile of fritters. Olivia thought she saw her shudder.
“Nah.” Tanner grabbed one and took a bite. “My reputation would take a hit.”
“Mom, do you have any liverwurst? Oh, and cream cheese. And olives. The green ones, not the black. Ooh, strawberry jelly sounds good. Where’s the bread?” Anita looked away from the fridge at the apple fritters. “Save me one of those too.”
Karen turned green-gilled. “Dear, how about we make you a healthy snack?” She went to the fridge and gently drew Anita away.
Olivia paused, surveying the room. Anita was tied up with her mother, while Tanner and Kingston were feasting on fritters. There was an empty chair on either side of the men. She walked over and sat next to Kingston. To her surprise, he put his arm around her shoulders and offered her a bite of his fritter. She met his gaze.One hundredpercent commitment, right?She bit into the sweet pastry.
“Well, aren’t y’all cute,” Tanner drawled, then laughed. “Seriously, I’m surprised. I wouldn’t have put you two together.”
“Me either,” Anita said, popping a green olive into her mouth. Apparently, that was on Karen Bedford’s approved-snack list.
“I did,” Karen gushed.
“I’ve been interested in Olivia for a while now.” Kingston looked at her, a surprising mix of fascination and apology in his eyes. “Since last year.”
Well, that was the truth. Maybe. He’d at least pretendedto be interested in her on two occasions, but it hadn’t lasted long enough to go any further. Still, she was relieved her friends were hearing some honesty. “Me too.”
“Wait, what?” Anita dropped an olive. Karen quickly scooped it off the floor and threw it into the sink. “Neither one of you ever said anything.”
Still focused on Kingston, Olivia said, “I didn’t think we’d ever get together.” She turned to Anita. “So I kept it to myself.”
Her friend nodded and put her hand on her stomach. “I understand.”
“And now you’re a couple,” Karen said, going over to Olivia. “Welcome to the family.”
“Mother,” Kingston said.
“Oh, I know I’m putting the cart before the horse.” Karen stood back and smiled. “But I can’t help it. I’m thrilled beyond belief, and I wish I would have thought of bringing you two together sooner. Thank goodness Erma called meand, um, told me about the dance lessons. If she hadn’t, I wouldn’t have noticed yourchemistry.”
“I thought you saw the lessons advertised on a flyer.” Kingston put his half-eaten fritter on one of the plates on the bar counter.
“No, it was Erma who told me about them.” Karen grabbed a towel off the counter and began wiping it. If she moved the towel any faster, she’d take the shine right off the granite.
“I didn’t realize you two were friends,” Anita said, heading for the fridge again. “Are you joining the BBs?”
Karen’s eyes widened. “We’re acquaintances,” she said.“And no, I’m not joining the BBs. I don’t have a single free moment in my schedule. Speaking of, you and Tanner need to come to the showcase.”
“What’s a showcase?” Tanner asked as Anita pulled out the liverwurst.
Olivia listened as Karen described her plans for the ballroom recital. She put her hands on her knees, and a second later she felt Kingston’s hand cover hers. She immediately relaxed.
Half an hour and one liverwurst, cream-cheese, green-olive, and strawberry-jelly sandwich later—Karen had given up on policing Anita’s pregnancy cravings—Kingston spoke. “I need to get Olivia home,” he said.
