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Angela released Nora’s hand with a wondering look. “Well, I’m just surprised we haven’t heard any sooner. From you or Payton.”
I stilled at the mention of Brad’s daughter. While I could get away with not calling Brad about the sudden marriage, I definitely should have warned Payton.
Angela shrugged. “Well, I suppose she’ll find out Monday. She’s coming to the city for the spa day I’ve arranged. Nora, I’ll text my assistant to add you to the reservation. Andrew, you know I plan these excursions months out. Shame on you for not making sure I included your lovely wife.”
She pulled her phone out of a tiny clutch, tapping a message.
“That’s so kind of you, but I don’t want to put you out,” Nora said.
Angela waved a hand. “Not a problem at all. We’re a close-knit little group always eager to welcome someone new, especially a spouse.”
Angela arched an eyebrow at Justin and his latest date, a gorgeous brunette with doe-eyes and a low-cut dress. His type, to a T, and I felt a pang of sympathy for the woman as she took a sip of her cocktail, ignoring the remark.
“Well, I’m thrilled to get to know you all. Andy has spoken so warmly about these meetings.” Nora accepted a glass of champagne from the server, taking a small sip before setting it down.
By the time the appetizers were cleared, Nora had thoroughly charmed the entire table. She’d coaxed Angela into telling everyone about her whirlwind romance with Brad, gushed over Adam and Shannon’s baby girl, learned all about Kerry and Jack’s cave diving obsession, and learned Justin’s date’s name: Tiffany, a part-time fitness model and full-time veterinary tech.
Through entrees, she led a discussion about honeymoon destinations and favorite places to live. And by dessert, well… everyone actually had dessert for once, too entranced by the woman at my side to worry about heading back to their hotel early.
As we left the restaurant, ignoring Angela and Terry's pleas to join them for another drink, I wrapped an arm around Nora and spontaneously kissed the top of her head.
“That was amazing,” I gushed, inhaling the faint scent of honeysuckle and wishing I’d found more reasons to touch her during dinner.
“I had a really good time,” she admitted modestly.
Too modestly. I had a fair bit of experience watching Justin’s dates attempt to infiltrate the good graces of Brad and Angela. She’d aced the test, where dozens had failed before her.
“Besides,” she said with a shrug. “That’s what you wanted me here for. I just treated it like a Chamber of Commerce meeting. Can I tell you the truth?” She cast a furtive glance back at the restaurant. “I could barely eat. I was so nervous. I’ve been a mess all day.”
A pang of guilt for not noticing that she’d been too distracted to eat hit me, and I rushed to wash it away. “Do you want to stop somewhere else? We can order room service?”
She shook her head. “I packed a few granola bars in my bag. I’ll be fine.”
Rather than fight her about food, I opened the car door and ushered her inside. The driver took us the few blocks to an upscale hotel that Brad suggested on my first visit to the city. I’d booked it every time after that. After a while, the staff got to know me, and I learned all the nearby haunts, making the hotel feel more like home than my family house in Franklin Notch.
A valet opened the black sedan door. I slipped out, offering Nora my hand. She took it, her fingers warm, holding on tightly as we walked into the lobby.
“Well, this is certainly nicer than the motel we stayed out at high school,” she mused, a hint of a smile on her face as her head swiveled, taking in the painted ceiling and the art installation in the center of the atrium.
“Did you all stay in Manhattan during your trip?” I asked.
She shook her head. “New Jersey. New York was too expensive, so we took the bus into the city every day.”
“Well, no bus required here. We’re only a few minutes from Central Park, and you can walk virtually anywhere you want from this hotel.”
“Mr. Stewart, welcome back,” Betty greeted me with a warm smile, her eyes moving to Nora. “Congratulations on your marriage! Mr. Sexton’s assistant called, and I’ve upgraded you to the penthouse suite.”
“Thank you, Bet.” I took the keys and guided Nora into the elevator.
“Penthouse suite, huh?” she whispered as I scanned my hotel card for access to the top floor.
“I usually stay in a suite. Nothing fancy.”
“Other than this hotel, in general.”
“Well, on the plus side, they probably left a gift basket with something better than a granola bar,” I said as the elevator doors slid open.
Nora gasped, her hand covering her mouth as she entered the suite.
