Page 54 of The Kitchen Contract

“Great!” Maddy says. “We can take care of the rest. I have a key to his house, so we’ll all sneak in before he gets home to set everything up. I already asked one of Alex’s neighbors if we could park at his house so he won’t realize anyone is there.”

“Smart,” I say. “He’s going to love it. Are you sure you don’t need me to do anything else?”

“I don’t think so, but I’ll text you this week if I think of anything.”

“Sounds good.”

Annie and I help Maddy carry out the last of the food and arrange it on an umbrella-covered picnic table on her back porch. The early August day is sunny and hot, though a light breeze makes the temperature manageable. Grant and Chris are leaning against the porch rail, watching the badminton game in the yard. I join them once my hands are empty.

“Hi Nora,” Chris greets me. “I’m so glad you were able to join us.”

“Thanks for the invitation.” I catch a glimpse of Alex lunging forward with a racket, sending the birdie rocketing into the sky and over the net. Olivia cheers as Seth and Rowan run into each other in a mutual attempt to hit it back over.

Alex looks up and sees me. He lifts his hand and blows me a kiss, only to whirl back around at Olivia’s shout for help as she clumsily tries to keep the birdie in the air.

“Looks like they’re having fun,” I comment. “He’s a good uncle.”

Grant shoots me a look, and I remember that the men probably don’t know yet that Alex and I are together, unless he happened to mention it on his way out.

“He is,” Chris agrees. “The kids love him.”

So do I. The thought zips through my mind like a shooting star ,and I stifle a gasp. It’s too early for love, but what do I call this feeling of warmth swelling in my chest? It’s more than just attraction to him, though there is plenty of that. No, it’s a genuine affection that I feel for him, a desire to know him and be around him and make sure that he is happy and cared for.

My heart hitches as I watch him play, a carefree grin on his face.

He really is a good man.

“Earth to Nora,” Maddy says, bumping my shoulder with hers. “If you can stop ogling my brother for a minute, it’s time to eat.”

“Sorry, I guess I was lost in my own thoughts. You want me to go down and get them?”

“Nah, I’ve got it.” She cups her hands around her mouth, leaning over the railing. “Guys, it’s time to wash your hands and come eat.”

31

ALEX

Itrail behind Rowan, Seth, and Olivia, climbing the porch steps to wash up and join the party. I catch a glimpse of Nora laughing at something Annie says, her eyes twinkling and her blonde and lilac hair shining in the sun.

“Your friend Nora is really pretty,” Seth comments as we walk into the kitchen. He slows and leans back a little as if to get a second look. “Like, really pretty.”

I propel him gently forward with a firm hand on his shoulder, trying to hide a smile. “She’s a little old for you, dude.” Though for the record, I agree.

“Yeah, plus Mom and Dad said fourteen is too young to date,” Olivia chimes in as she claims the first turn at the sink. “They said you have to wait until you’re at least sixteen.”

Seth’s face reddens. “Can it, Olivia. It’s not like I’m going to ask her out.”

“But you could ask her out, Uncle Alex,” Olivia says. “She’s not too old for you, is she?”

“No, not too old for me,” I say with a small smile, wondering how much I should tell them.

Rowan, as usual, is quiet during this exchange, but I catch him smirking as he listens. He’s a perceptive kid and likely already suspects something is up, so I decide to come clean.

“Actually, Nora and I have been seeing each other,” I confess.

“We already knew that,” Olivia says with a hint of exasperation as she moves aside to let Seth have a turn at the sink. “We watch your cooking videos all the time.”

“He means dating,” Seth explains with an eye roll.

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