“The scones? Yeah. I stress-bake.” She shot me a look. “Gabriel’s been very stress-inducing lately.”
Anthony laughed, a real laugh, warm and genuine. “I can imagine. These look incredible.”
“They’re cinnamon chip. My mom’s recipe.”
“Your mother taught you to bake?”
“Among other things. She’s a chef. Well, she was. She’s retired now, but she still cooks like she’s feeding an army.”
I watched Anthony lean forward slightly, his attention fully on Cate. “A chef? That’s impressive. Do you cook professionally?”
“I did, well... I wanted to. I just finished culinary school and was supposed to work as a sous chef in Boston before I moved here.”
“Boston?” His interest sharpened. “What brought you to Connecticut?”
This was it. The vetting process John had warned me about.
Cate glanced at me, and I gave her a small nod. We’d practiced this. Kept it simple, kept it true.
“The job opportunity fell through,” she said carefully. “And I needed a change. My mom learned Gabriel was looking for a nanny and she thought I would be a good fit.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Three weeks.”
Anthony’s expression didn’t change, but I saw the calculation behind his eyes. “Three weeks. And you’re married now.”
“Yes.”
“That’s quite a whirlwind romance.”
“It was... unexpected,” Cate said, and there was something in her voice, something genuine that made Anthony’s expression soften. “But sometimes the best things are.”
He studied her for another moment, then took a sip of his coffee. “This is excellent, by the way.”
“Thank you.”
“And the scones are even better.” He took a bite, and I watched his eyes close briefly. “Your mother taught you well.”
Cate’s smile was pleased, genuine. “She’ll be happy to hear that.”
“Does she approve of the marriage?”
The question was casual, but I heard the lawyer underneath it. Testing. Probing for weaknesses.
“She has... concerns,” Cate admitted. “About the speed of it. But she likes Gabriel, and she adores Megan.”
“And your father?”
“He’s more practical. He wants to make sure I’m happy. They live next door.”
“Are you?” Anthony’s gaze was direct. “Happy?”
Cate’s eyes found mine across the room, and something passed between us. Something real.
“Yes,” she said quietly. “I am.”
Anthony nodded slowly, then turned to me. “And you, Dr. Lyon? Are you happy with this arrangement?”
