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My stare lifts at the familiar voice. Her golden hair sweeps up in a curled ponytail, drawing my attention to the tanned column of her neck and the indents of her collar bones exposed beneath a collared top unbuttoned low enough to give a view a taken man should not linger on. And in between the swells of her breasts lies the hexagonal necklace with the celosia flower I picked at Lockwood Blooms.
When Nova pulls out the chair, her long, toned legs display against white shorts. My hands clench into fists below the table.
And then Mom’s arms are taking Nova against her chest, hugging her close. “Nova, I haven’t seen you in a while. I’m so happy we could reconnect here.”
“Me, too. It’s good to see you, Sharon.”
Mom pulls back, rubbing Nova’s arm before retaking her seat.
“Sorry, I’m late.” She slides into the open chair beside Willa. “Still getting used to the area.”
Mom peeks around Willa, grinning. “Nonsense. You’re just in time. We’re happy you could make it.”
Our eyes collide across the table, and just like our doorway reunion at the hotel, my chest contorts and constricts with its missing piece. “Happy Birthday, Devin.”
“Thanks.” I offer a strained but polite smile. “I didn’t know you were going to be here.”
A flash of apprehension crosses her gaze before dissolving into a bright beam. “Willa invited me yesterday afternoon when we grabbed coffee. Being new in town, I thought seeing family would be nice. And figured I shouldn’t miss my best friend’s brother’s birthday.”
Palmer’s hand finds my thigh, squeezing. Glancing her way, I smile, trying to reassure her that I’m hers and only hers. Yeah, I’ll be having a chat with my big sister later.
“What’s good here? Anyone know?” Nova opens a menu the server dropped off.
“Not sure,” Willa offers when no one speaks up. “A couple players on Devin’s team recommended this place and said it has the best Cuban food in town.”
Palmer’s finger glides along the plastic menu. “I think I’m going to get the seafood au gratin.”
Nova’s gaze jumps to her in surprise, like she can’t believe my girlfriend is addressing her, before refocusing on the menu. “Oh, that does look good. Now I’m even more conflicted. I was looking at the braised oxtail.”
“I’m assuming you can’t go wrong. Everything looks delicious here.”
Even if Palmer is uncomfortable, I’m not surprised she’s playing nice. Since our last relationship, we’ve both grown and matured. Plus, she’s not the petty or territorial type. We have trust on a level we don’t have with anyone else, a comfort no one who hasn’t walked in our shoes can fill.
I link my fingers with hers beneath the table, a subtle appreciation for making an effort in a less-than-ideal situation.Thanks, Willa.And apparently Mom, too.I haven’t seen you in a while.How often does she spend time with Nova?
After placing our drink orders, Mom shifts her attention to Nova. “Tell us more about your new job. I heard it’s at Devin’s agency.”
“Yeah, purely coincidental. It would probably be considered a bit of nepotism and privilege because of my dad, but a few years back, he got my cousin Leo a job working with a buddy of his at TSG. Since then Leo’s taken over as their lead agent representing hockey and winter athletes. He’s so good at what he does. It’s pretty amazing. I was honored when he offered to give me a recommendation. I spent the last seven months working at Burton with the Sports Ambassadors, and I’ve always loved that part of the sports and entertainment world. So, Leo suggested I work with marketing and endorsements.”
The table is silent, three pairs of eyes blinking at Nova like she’s just talked gibberish and mine looking at her with the memory of our long-ago conversation about college majors. She’s doing what she said she’d love to do.
“Sooo, what does that mean, exactly?” Mom asks with an apologetic smile.
“Oh, sorry. I need to perfect my elevator pitch.” Twin dimples appear as Nova laughs.
Taking a swig of my beer, I set the glass down. “I’m surprised you moved here. I didn’t think you liked Florida.”
Nova levels me with a veiled glare and shrugs, taking a sip of her Mojito. “Florida was never the problem—the timing was.”
Our gazes hold a moment too long before Nova squares her shoulders and turns toward Mom. “To answer your question, I’d be the girl helping Devin land those off-the-field deals. You know, the placement ads. Simply put, my job is to make our athletes’ names a brand of their own.”
“Oh my gosh, could you get him a car deal? Does the family get discounts if he’s their spokesperson?”
“Nice, sis. Cashing in on me before my first big paycheck arrives.”
Will lifts her Mojito in a mock salute, tapping her glass to Nova’s. “I take it back, make him do soup commercials. I never see those anymore. And you can be in them, Mom.”
The laughter increases between the women opposite Palmer and me like they’re stuck in their own world of private jokes, and I’m the butt.
