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“Sure.” I slide off the stool and open a few drawers in search of a knife and cutting board, then wash my hands and get to work chopping celery into neat, even little sticks.
A wooden tray thuds onto the counter next to me and Serena sets out packages of sliced meats and cheeses.
“Now we’re talking,” I mutter. “I’ll get right on that after I’m done with the bunny food.”
Awareness crackles over my skin. I glance up. Serena’s washing fruit at the larger sink with her back to me. Shifting my gaze toward the open archway leading to the rest of the house, Dex in his fantastically fitting suit fills up the space.
Watching me.
My breath catches. Those damn butterflies twirl in my stomach again. I set the knife down so I don’t chop off a finger, and finally tear my gaze away from him.
I grab a stick of celery and sink my teeth into it.
“I thought that was bunny food?” Serena teases, plunking a bowl of grapes and strawberries next to the meat platter.
“Do you need any help, Serena?” Dex asks without coming closer.
“Don’t you dare leave me,” I say under my breath.
“Sure.” Serena lifts a basket full of paper plates and napkins and carries it over to him. “Would you bring this out to the sitting room?”
She explains where she wants it while I pretend, I’m not listening. He responds with something I can’t quite make out. I keep arranging celery and carrots like it’s my new full-time job.
“Hey, Dex,” a silky-smooth female voice coos.
My head snaps up, my eyes narrowing on the tall, slender blonde rubbing up against my man. Well, not rubbing. They’re standing a good twelve inches apart. But still.
I plunk the tub of blue cheese dressing in the center of the tray. “Serena, do you want me to put this in something nicer?” I ask, ignoring Dex.
“No, that’s fine.” She scoops up the tray of veggies. “I’ll follow you, Dex,” she says.
Thank you, Serena.
I breathe out a sigh of relief and start working on the cold cuts.
The blonde—who I now realize is the cranky bartender from Crystal Ball, Willow—approaches me slowly. Does she even know Serena well enough to be invited to a family occasion?
“Hey, Emily, right?” she says.
“That’s me. Hi, Willow.” I don’t bother saying “nice to see you again” because I haven’t decided if it is yet.
She jams her hands in her back pockets, thrusting out her chest and calling attention to her hip bones jutting above the waistband of her jeans. It’s a baby’s baptism party, she couldn’t put on a full shirt?
Ugh. I’m just jealous because I couldn’t find my own hipbones with an X-ray machine.
“How are you?” I ask, attempting to be friendlier.
“Fine.” She stands in the center of the kitchen, just watching me. My fingers work quickly, rolling and tucking slices of meat into tight rounds. I arrange everything neatly on the tray Serena left for me, then start adding cheese, crackers, tiny pickles, and olives.
“That looks so pretty!” Serena exclaims, startling me out of my laser-focused meats and snacks arranging duty.
“Thanks. There’s enough left over if you want me to make another one.”
“Sure.” She opens a drawer next to my hip, pulls out serving utensils, and sets them on the counter.
“Do you want me to carry this out to the dining room, Serena?” Willow asks.
“Yes, that’d be great. Thanks.”
Lincoln’s cries pierce the air and Libby hurries into the kitchen. “I think he wants you, Serena,” she says with wide, nervous eyes.
He burbles and waves his fists as Libby hands him over.
“Aw, you’re okay,” Serena coos, nuzzling her nose against his cheek. “Don’t scare Auntie Libby like that.”
Libby chuckles. “I didn’t want to get into a ‘you break him, you buy him’ situation.”
Serena snort-laughs. “He’s fine.” She waves one hand at Libby. “Go get some cupcakes before they’re all gone.”
Libby stops next to me. “You coming?”
“In a minute.” I gesture toward the counter. “I have a few things left here.”
Libby grabs a slice of ham and stuffs it into her mouth.
“You two are so lucky to have each other,” Serena sighs after Libby leaves.
“Can you tell her that?”
“She knows. I’m sure with everything she’s been through the last few weeks, she’s just a bit frazzled. I wish I’d had a big sister when I was her age.”
“Tell me about it.”
She wraps her free arm around me and squeezes. “Well, we’ve got each other now. I’m so happy you guys came down this weekend. We need to do it again soon.” She lifts her chin toward the noise coming from the rest of the house. “When we don’t have so much going on.”
I rest my head on her shoulder for a second. “I’d really like that.”
“Hey, the guys have that big funeral they’re going to in Tennessee. Maybe you and Libby can come stay with me? We’ll have like an extended sleepover.”
