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“It’s a T-shirt tan,” Mike confided with a grin. “I haven’t tanned or taken my shirt off in the sun in about ten years.” He gave a soft laugh. “While my arms and legs are tanned, trust me, my torso looks like a ghost.”
“I have to admit to the same.” Nicky grinned back. “Only I can wear strappy sundresses, so at least my shoulders and part of the back get tanned.”
“Ah, the joys of being able to wear sundresses,” Mike sighed exaggeratedly.
Their conversation about nothing was interrupted by an excited Jade as she rushed onto the deck with Belvedere trotting behind her.
“Uncle Mike, Gemma, and Aunt Sam have invited me to go to the movies with them.” Jade showed him her phone. “They said I can stay the night if it’s okay with you.”
“Uh—” Mike looked at his niece, and Nicky’s heart flipped as she saw some reluctance to leave in his eyes. “Okay.”
He was about to stand when Stephanie and Lorry joined them. Lorry put the bottle of red wine she’d opened and replaced the cork on the table before them. Steph handed Mike a glass of wine.
“I’m sorry, I’m not going to be able to stay,” Mike said apologetically.
“Nonsense,” Lorry told him. “You stay there and enjoy some wine.” She looked at Jade. “I can take you to Sam’s house if it’s okay with your uncle.”
“I don’t want to put you out,” Mike said, taking the wine from Steph.
“You won’t be,” Lorry assured him. “I have to go anyway, and I was planning on seeing Sam tomorrow as I have something to talk to her about.” Nicky’s eyes narrowed. She could see her sister lying through her teeth. “Are you ready, Jade?”
“Is it okay to stop by my house to get some clothes?” Jade asked.
“Of course,” Lorry said.
“Can you give me a lift home as well?” Steph asked Lorry. “And would you mind collecting the boys on the way?”
“Not at all. I have enough time before I fetch Gran from her bridge club.” Lorry turned and smiled at Nicky. “Gran is staying at my place tonight.”
“What?” Nicky looked at her sister, confused.
“Great, we’d better get going,” Lorry said, waiting patiently for Jade to kiss and hug Mike goodbye. “I’ll call you tomorrow.” She pecked Nicky on the cheek.
“See you tomorrow, sis.” Steph bounced her eyebrows mischievously at Nicky before kissing her on the cheek. “Have fun,” she whispered.
Steph, Lorry, and Jade hurried to leave. Belvedere was right there with them.
“Belvedere, come here, boy,” Nicky called him.
Belvedere stopped, looked at her, wagged his tail, gave a soft bark, and followed Steph out the door.
“Sorry, he looks like he wants to stay at my place tonight as well.” Lorry grinned. “I’ll bring him home with Gran bright and early in the morning.”
Before Nicky could object, Lorry and Belvedere disappeared. An awkward silence descended over the deck when Nicky and Mike found themselves alone.
“Well, that was my sisters trying to not be obvious about leaving us alone in a romantic setting together.” Nicky gave a small, embarrassed laugh. “I apologize for them and my dog.”
“Don’t worry, my niece played a part in that too,” Mike told her, sipping the wine. “Mm, this is good.”
“Yes, I brought it from Miami,” Nicky told him. “It’s one of the few things my ex-husband did right.” She glanced at the bottle on the table. “He’d always bring a good bottle of red wine home from his trips around the country for my collection.”
“You collect wine?” Mike looked at her quizzically.
“My father and I used to collect wine.” Nicky gave a nostalgic smile, remembering her father. “It was our thing. We liked to send each other updates on our latest purchases and occasionally swap bottles. It was just—” She went quiet as how badly she missed him crept up on her. “Like I said, our thing.”
“I understand,” Mike told her, his voice filled with compassion. “Sully and I had a thing with rare books.”
“Sully still has his rare book collection?” Nicky’s eyes lit with interest. “I used to love going through it with him.”
