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“And if it feels right, do it?” Holly said acerbically. “Experience has proved that isn’t always the best choice.”
Was that a hint of color in his face? Green eyes met hers. “Come with me, Holly.”
She couldn’t tell if it was a command or a request or an invitation. She hesitated.
“Or are you chicken?” And there it was—the calculated, devastating Lukas Antonides grin, the one that had baited her a thousand times. How could she have thought he’d changed?
“You’re such a bully!”
There was unholy glee in his eyes. “I’m not forcing you.”
“No?” She glowered at him.
Lukas looked absolutely delighted. “Ah, there’s the Holly I remember.”
The Holly he remembered wanted to kick him. But maybe it was good to keep being reminded that he hadn’t changed. He was Lukas, teasing, taunting, playing some game.
Fine. She’d go along with it. She’d get his signature on the line to deed the boat. And life would be back to normal. “Right. Okay. We’ll go see the boat.” She stood up and carried her mug into the kitchen.
“Now?” Lukas looked momentarily disconcerted.
“No time like the present.” If she didn’t go now, she’d have to agree to see him again. Lukas had been enough of a disruption for one day. She didn’t need another one. She glanced at her watch. It was just past three. And as long as she got back in time for her date with Paul this evening, no problem. She turned and narrowed her gaze at him. “And after you see it, you’ll sign the deed of gift?”
“I said I would, didn’t I?” He looked offended.
“And of course you always do everything you say you’ll do. Like spend a summer repairing a boat?” Holly raised a brow.
Lukas had the grace to grimace. “I’ll sign it.”
While she put on a pair of sandals, he called his brother to ask about getting into the boatyard, then hung up and said, “We have to run by his place for a key.”
Elias lived in Park Slope, not that far from where Holly lived. She said, “I’ll wait in the truck,” when they drove up in front of his brownstone twenty minutes later.
“Not a chance. I said I wanted the key and Elias said, ‘Great. You can stay for dinner.’”
“I can’t—”
“Don’t worry. We’re not staying for dinner.” Lukas hopped out of the truck, then came around to open her door. “But this is family. I can’t just grab the key and run. It doesn’t work like that. I have to go in, smile, ruffle the kids’ hair, say how much they’ve grown.” He sounded bored at the thought, but he stood there expecting her to get out of the truck.
Holly hadn’t seen Elias in years and she had never met his wife or kids. “How many kids does he have?”
“Four. It’s a madhouse.” Lukas rolled his eyes. “Prepare yourself.”
But there were no little kids at the door, only Elias, who did a double-take when he saw Holly, then grinned broadly. “Hey, Hol’! Long time no see.” Ignoring his brother, Elias pulled her into his arms and gave her a warm hug, which she returned. Then he held her out at arm’s length and studied her.
“You’re coping,” he decided, and she remembered that she had in fact seen him at Matt’s funeral, but not since.
“I’m coping,” Holly agreed.
Elias nodded his approval. “So what’re you doing with him?” He jerked his head at Lukas who, apparently used to brotherly disparagement, brushed past them both and went into the living room.
“We came for the key. She’s fine. We’re in a hurry, Elias.”
Elias ignored him. “Everyone’s in the kitchen.” He looped an arm over Holly’s shoulder. “Come on back.”
Lukas sighed audibly. “What’d I tell you?” he said over his shoulder as he headed toward the back of the house. “Tallie is not feeding us,” he added firmly.
“Whatever you say.” Elias just smiled and drew Holly through a comfortable, cluttered living room, past two dogs, a Lego fortress and a bunch of dump trucks, haulers and steam rollers.
Holly gazed around almost hungrily. It was the living room of her dreams—one filled with the joy and photos and chaos of a growing family, like she’d hoped to have with Matt. But before she could do more than swallow the lump in her throat, a trio of boys came swarming down the hall.
