Page 61 of About Last Night

“Is Willa being high maintenance?” I ask.

“No, she’s the perfect guest,” Greta says.

Ingrid and Piero stand and turn to me and I feel instantly at ease. I’ve never been into hippy-dippy stuff, unless you count smoking the occasional joint, but these two have an aura of peace around them that I can almost see. There is nothing but love in their body language and they have a connection and an ease with each other I’ve rarely seen, and that I envy. I’ve never had that kind of connection, I’ve never seen that kind of connection, and I want it. I glance at Toni and wonder if I’ve found that with her. Then inwardly blanch as soon as I think it. I’m not ready for thoughts of a future.

“We’re so glad you came,” Ingrid says.

“Sorry we showed up early and unannounced,” I say.

“Please,” Ingrid says. “Greta texted me as soon as you decided to come last night. We’re sorry we didn’t wait up, but we have a schedule we like to keep to.”

“That’s what happens when you get old and set in your ways,” Piero says. “Please, sit, sit.” Piero waits to sit down until I do.

“I like that sweater,” I say to Toni.

Toni grins. “I remember.” Our eyes meet and there’s so much heat between us I’m glad I can blame my burning cheeks on the fire.

“Audrey, we’ve been talking about the foundation,” Ingrid says. “It was your idea?”

“I suppose technically, but it’s all because of Toni’s dreams for her division.”

“Already making changes to my department, huh?” Piero says good-naturedly. Everyone laughs, and he continues, “No, no, I knew you’d hit the ground running, Toni. Just like you always have.”

“I’m starting to wonder if my eyes weren’t too big for my stomach,” Toni says. “There’s so much to do that I feel paralyzed most of the time.”

“That’s why you make lists,” I say. “Set short-term goals of easy tasks. Accomplish something, tick it off the list, move on to the next item.”

“This is a woman after my own heart,” Ingrid says.

“Mom is the queen of list making,” Toni explains.

“No work talk,” Willa says. “Let’s talk chopping down a Christmas tree. I hear I’m going to have to wrestle you for the ax, Piero.”

“Nope, no wrestling. You can have it.”

“What?” Toni and Greta say in unison.

“You’ve never let us touch the ax,” Greta says.

“Play your cards right and I’ll let you touch my ax,” Willa says.

Everyone goes quiet for a beat, then explodes into laughter.

Willa realizes why and says with a red face, “That came out much more suggestive than I meant it to.”

“On that note, I think it’s time for breakfast,” Greta says, to everyone’s general agreement.

“I’m going to sit here for a bit and finish my coffee,” I say.

“I’ll stay with you,” Toni offers.

“We’ll bring you some food,” Willa says.

When everyone is inside I say, “Alone at last.”

“For about five minutes, if we’re lucky.”

“What if I want more than five minutes?” I say. Toni raises her eyebrows, and I laugh. “That came out more suggestive than I meant it to.”

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