Page 56 of The Kitchen Contract

Everyone chatters happily as we pass bowls of shredded cheese and guacamole, each person building tacos and nachos to their own specifications. My taco is good, but when I compare it to the tacos I prepared with Nora the first time we filmed, it doesn’t even come close. I’m not sure if it’s because hers were really that much tastier or if my recollection is sweetened by our burgeoning relationship and the attraction I felt toward her even then.

Maddy carries out the cake, and we sing as Olivia blows out the candles and exclaims over the pink whipped cream. My niece is perhaps the girliest little girl that I know, so I had to add a few drops of red coloring to match her personality.

“Uncle Alex, I think this cake is even better than the one we had on the Fourth of July.”

“You’re just saying that because it’s pink.” Her compliment pleases me more than I care to admit. I never thought I’d have anyone requesting something that I made. I catch Nora’s eye. Leaning down, I whisper in her ear. “Thank you.”

“What for?” she murmurs back.

“Lots of stuff.” I leave it at that for now. There’ll be plenty of time later to tell her all the reasons I’m thankful for her.

Grant volunteers himself and me to carry the gifts out on the porch for Olivia to open once the cake is put away. I follow him inside, thankful to be in the air conditioning for a few minutes. We really should only have parties at my house during warm months, so we can use the pool to keep from roasting.

“So, I guess I’m a little behind,” Grant says as we gather up an armload of gifts.

“Behind on what?”

“I thought Nora had a boyfriend, but it sure seems like you two are together now, so what have I missed?”

“Ah, you’re referring to my minor breakdown after seeing her in the restaurant.”

“I am, yes.”

I scrunch my nose. “It would seem that things were not as they appeared. Once I gave her a chance to explain, I learned that he was an old friend, not anyone of romantic interest.”

Grant nods but doesn’t say anything. Silence is not unusual for my brother of few words, but his expression looks tense.

“If you have something to say, go ahead and get it out,” I tell him. “I want to hear what you think.”

At least, I think I do. I respect Grant and want him to have a good opinion of me, but something tells me I might not like what he has to say.

Grant puffs out a breath of air. “Okay, look. I was just wondering if you’ve known her long enough to really trust her. I know you like to believe the best about people, but it’s hard for me to forget what Marissa did to both of us. I just don’t want you to make the same mistake again, go through all that again.”

I bite back a sharp retort and force myself to take a breath before answering him. “I get why you’d say that, and I had a similar reaction at first. But she hasn’t given me any reason to think she’s lying, so yeah, I want to give her the benefit of the doubt. She’s not Marissa. I shouldn’t treat her like she is.”

Grant studies me, his jaw working as he considers this. “Okay,” he says finally. “You’re probably right. Like I said, I just don’t want to see you get hurt again. If you think Nora is who you want, then I’ll be one hundred percent supportive.”

I feel an unexpected lump in my throat at his declaration. I cough to clear it and nod. “Thanks, man. I appreciate that, really.”

“But watch out for those red flags this time, alright? We were both stupid before, but we know better now.”

“We sure do,” I agree. I slap Grant’s shoulder and pile one last bag on top of the pile he’s cradling before stooping to scoop up the box Nora and I brought.

Let the fun begin.

Olivia squeals with delight when we walk through the door with all her gifts, especially when she sees mine. Chris wears the same disturbed expression Maddy did when she saw the size of the box earlier.

I set the package down out of her reach and shoot her a wink. “Why don’t we save the best for last?”

She grins back and reaches for the gift bag Maddy nudges her way.

By the time she gets through all the other bags and boxes, I think she’s almost forgotten about mine. It’s so fun to watch her surrounded by the physical representation of all the love we have for her in the form of thoughtful, personalized gifts. You’d never know that she wasn’t born into this family. When Chris and Maddy got married, we were all happy to adopt her and Seth, Chris’s children with his previous wife who passed away a few years ago. I know I’m not the only one who considers them our own.

“Time for the last one. Are you ready for this?” I start to scoot the box toward her, then stop. “You’re not ready. I can tell you aren’t. It’s too epic. Maybe we should hold onto it for next year.”

Olivia’s eyes grow wide. “No, I’m ready. I promise I am.”

“Well…” I hesitate for just a moment to build the suspense. “If you say so.”

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