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“She sounds busy,” Nicole commented.
“A regular Suzy Homemaker.” Terri’s voice was dry.
“Right,” Nicole agreed. “She’s deciding what a homemaker is on her own terms. I admire that.”
Jordan wanted to admire how she handled the awkward moments in the conversation, so why did he hesitate to acknowledge graciousness when it was wrapped up in a sexy golden-haired former model?
He smiled, though his facial muscles were tight. “Nicely said.”
“Which one of us?” Terri challenged.
He shrugged. When Terri was in one of her moods, it was best to let it go. And he suddenly wondered what had gotten her going. Was she upset about Chelsea moving out of the Los Angeles area? She wanted the best for their sister, but maybe she was suddenly feeling alone. Or it could be something else. He had to admit to sometimes being clueless when it came to his sisters. What he did know for certain was that when Terri was unhappy or scared about something, she usually turned to argument or anger to deal with it.
“Would anybody like coffee?” Nicole asked. “I can make a pot of decaf.”
There were nods all around and she stood.
Terri got to her feet as well, a strained expression on her face. “Let me help.”
Nicole smiled. “How nice.”
Jordan stood to join them, only to see a warning glance from her. Or at least he thought she was warning him. A sophisticated supermodel didn’t need protection from his sharp-tongued sister. As for Terri, she was able to hold her own and wouldn’t accept big-brother protection, regardless.
He dropped back into his chair.
“Barton, I apologize if Terri is…” Chelsea’s voice trailed before she took a deep breath to continue. “My sister doesn’t mean things the way they sound.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Barton answered. “You should meet my cousin. When Greg found out Nicole George was my next-door neighbor he speculated whether she did topless sunbathing in her backyard. He actually said that to her face. I could have slugged him, but she was classy about it.”
“She would be.”
Jordan seriously doubted that Nicole would do nude sunbathing where anyone might see her, though the image that popped into his head put him in acute pain.
Surreal. That was the only word to describe the evening. It wasn’t often that the past and present collided this way.
He again wondered if his attraction to Nicole was something he should mention to Syd, only to promptly decide the answer was no. She’d just be surprised to hear him say he hadn’t felt that way before and likely claim he’d just been fooling himself until now.
Pushing to his feet, he started gathering plates and utensils, anything to keep from thinking. At least he wouldn’t be rushing into the house immediately; a decent interval would have passed.
* * *
AFTER NICOLE TURNED on the coffeemaker she looked at Terri, who was taking cups down from the cupboard and putting them on a tray. Along with the rest of the Masters family, she’d played a part in Nicole’s childhood, though Nicole had spent as little time around her as possible. Chelsea had inspired sympathy, but Terri had usually been a pain with her angry defiance about everything. Jordan could be the same way.
“I know, I know,” Terri said with a twist of her lips, “I’m a witch, spelled with a ‘b.’”
“You were always forthright.”
“What you’re saying is that I never grew up. You could be right—maybe I’m still fighting trolls and demons.”
Nicole poured cream into a small pitcher, glad she’d taken time that morning to unpack the rest of her kitchen supplies. “Most of us have a few.”
“I suppose, and they dog our footsteps at every turn.”
“But we don’t have to offer them permanent residence in the guest bedroom.”
A burst of laughter came from the other woman. “Lord, Nicole, you’re quick. How did I miss that all those years ago?”
“We didn’t know each other very well. You and Jordan were friends with my sister, not me.”
“Yeah. I never understood why Emily put up with my crap.”
“Em has a genius for friendship.”
