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Noah just stood there sullenly. The kid still didn’t talk much, and Nick half wondered if the kid was along for the ride just to keep an eye on Nick. But they would work on that.
“Kids, this is my niece, Nikolette. She goes by Nikki. She’s your cousin.” He didn’t know how he should refer to the ties with Noah and the rest of his family. He didn’t want to make him feel awkward. But he wanted him to know he was welcomed. “Nikki, meet Nova and Noah. My kids.”
“I’ve heard I have new cousins.” She looked at the kids and held one hand out to Nova gently. “Hello, I’m Nikki. I was named after your daddy and my mom’s sister Collette. They smooshed the two names together and got mine. But everyone calls me Nikki. I love your purple glasses. My last pair were purple.”
Nova slipped to the side a little. Peeked out. She gave an exaggerated gasp as one of the Talley girls came close enough to grab menus for their table. “You look just like me! Only bigger.”
“Yep. It’s because I’m a Tyler, too. We’re family. You and me, though, we’re the lucky ones who got the really cool curly hair.”
“Are you hostessing today?” Nick asked.
“No. I’m just searching for food while Hunter is in a conference call. And then Dusty and I are picking out wedding gowns and bridesmaids’ dresses. It’s going to be so much fun. Junie is hostessing today. She’s just in the back for a few minutes.”
Nikki beamed at the kids. “Junie is our cousin too. She’ll be happy to not be the only one of us girls with the bright red hair now.”
“You’re so pretty!” Nova said, staring and blinking. “I know what a cousin is. My Robin told me!”
“Yep. I am your cousin. And you are very pretty, too.”
