David hauled himself up from the chair. “I’ve got to get back to work,” he said. “Not all of us spend our time staring at doodles.”
“Busy, busy bee,” said Penny dismissively. David ignored her and pulled out his phone to start barking orders at some poor admin assistant stuck sweating at their desk in the stifling Toronto heat. Penny sighed and rested on the back of the chair he’d vacated.
“Poor Davey. It’s like he has youngest son syndrome although he’s only the middle. Jenn’s a saint for putting up with him. I suppose she has to.” She looked at the photo they’d shown David. “What’s that you have there?”
Valerie passed it over. “I’m sure that’s Yvette in the back,” she said.
“I’d forgotten what she looked like. Yvette didn’t have a memorable face like Sloane does.”
Valerie ignored this although Nico bristled at the backhanded insult. “She’s wearing a pretty bracelet.”
Penny didn’t bother looking. “Friendship bracelets were all the rage that year. Tracey Jefferies gave them to everyone.”
“I’d love to meet her,” said Valerie.
“Tracey?” Penny raised her eyebrows. “She’s the biggest gossip I know, and you’ll recall what I said about keeping this in the family?”
“Did you have one?” asked Nico, to confirm. “A bracelet like that?”
Penny laughed. “I probably had dozens. We were a little old for it, but Tracey thought they were cute. I wouldn’t be surprised if Yvette picked one up off the ground for herself. Now, Valerie, I’ve been thinking. I’m sure your parents miss you. We should invite them up for a weekend so we can all get to know each other.”
Valerie managed an open smile at odds with the rock that formed in Nico’s gut. “I appreciate the offer but my parents are no longer together, and it’s a sensitive situation.”
“That’s why we need everyone here,” said Penny, looking at Valerieintently. “We can get everything out in the open, and there’s plenty of room for both families.”
“Perhaps when we’re back in Toronto.” Nico admired Valerie’s deft parry. How had they not anticipated this?
“Summer is surely better, when your mother has time off from school?” asked Penny. “Although the planning for your stepsister’s wedding must be keeping her busy.”
“Weddings are always high-stress,” said Valerie, maintaining her cheer. “Did I tell you about the time a bride wanted to be escorted down the aisle with two tigers? They were her favorite animals.”
The distraction didn’t take. “Why don’t you give me her number and I’ll call to invite them,” said Penny. She tilted her head. “I know how difficult this transition must be for you,” she said gently. “Let me help make it easier.”
“Mom!” The shout came from the upper floor of the boathouse. “What does it mean to combine ingredients?”
“That boy.” Penny gave an indulgent laugh as she stood up. “Valerie, I’ll expect that number.” She leaned in to whisper but Nico heard. “And the signed letter, of course. Roger has his thoughts, but you and I know it’s the right thing to do.”
She left to rescue her offspring from the tyranny of looking up instructions online, and Valerie began to gather up the leftovers from the snack tray.
“It’s sweet that she’s looking out for me but I never mentioned Erica’s wedding,” Valerie said.
“Penny’s checking into you.” Nico considered what he knew of Penny. “I bet she hired her own PI.”
“That would explain the call to Ruth.” Valerie groaned. “It also reduces the sweetness of her wanting to help me. Should I give my parents a warning?”
“Maybe tell them you’re potentially dealing with a scam artist, sothey don’t give away information.” Nico took the tray from her to carry back. “I’ll update Roger.”
“Good idea.” Valerie shook her head. “It’s my firm belief that a big old family meeting would be an extraordinarily bad idea.”
He didn’t answer, watching her bite into one of the strawberries. The red stained her lip and he tried to bring his attention back to the problem at hand instead of how the color matched her cheeks.
Because if Penny’s PI found out about Valerie, he had to agree it would not be good at all.
* * *
Later that evening, he found Valerie and Roger happily insulting each other’s strategic abilities over the chessboard. Valerie was the first to see him and she jumped up to give him a hug even though he’d only left her an hour ago.
To her, the hug was no doubt a minor friendly gesture that she didn’t think twice about. He’d seen her hug a tree, for God’s sake. He shouldn’t read anything too deep into it, but he couldn’t help it. It had been a long time since he’d been touched this way. Her hands slid over his back firmly enough for him to feel each fingertip. Instead of bending forward so their bodies barely touched, she pressed into him.
