Page 112 of Designs on You

“That’s going well,” Hazel said, keeping her voice low.

“Which part? The moms or the kids with Lisa?”

“Both.”

Natalie looked over to see Lisa having an in-depth conversation with Christopher. As she listened in, she couldn’t help butsmile as she realized it was about different types of construction trucks. Yeah, Lisa was definitely a mom of boys. And yet, she turned her attention to Cammie and oohed and ahhed over Cammie’s pink painted fingernails, then remarked about Cammie’s bracelet, which made her daughter so happy.

Lisa was going to be a fantastic grandmother.

The guys showed up, regaling them with tales about their golf game, and then how Eugene had taken them to his office to show them the ride he was creating.

“It’s damned impressive,” Warren said as they took seats in the living room.

“We will definitely be back once it’s done,” Joe said.

Natalie got involved in helping Hazel fix their dinner. They were having shrimp tacos with cilantro lime slaw, fresh avocados, rice, and salsa and chips. And chicken with pineapple on skewers for the kids, which they were going to love. Natalie made margaritas for the adults and lemonade for Cammie and Christopher.

School had ended and summer was just beginning. It was such a fun time of year, even though it was already humid and hot. But that meant more outside time in the pool, and the kids always enjoyed that.

They ate inside at the table, and there was plenty of room for all of them, though they did have to squeeze together. Not that Natalie minded being huddled close to Eugene.

“Have a good day?” he asked as he brushed his shoulder against hers.

“I did. You?”

“Yeah. Missed you, though.” He leaned over and gently glided his lips across hers, and she realized how natural and usual that had become, even in front of her children, who didn’t notice anymore. Then again, her kids were too busy talking Warren and Joe to death about cars and trucks and jewelry and art and anything else that came off the top of their heads.

She supposed it was good practice for when they became dads.

“Warren, Joe, if you need rescuing, let me know,” Natalie said.

Warren grinned. “Are you kidding? This is the highlight of our day.”

“Seriously the highlight,” Joe said, turning his attention back to Camryn, who explained to him that he’d look even better if he’d let her paint his nails tonight.

After dinner, Natalie let the kids hang out for a bit, then sent them to their rooms to get ready for bed. Her mom went in to help them change clothes, and Lisa went with her. The rest of them moved into the living room.

“How’s the house coming along, Eugene?” Joe asked.

“It’s done,” Linc said.

Eugene frowned. “Since when?”

“Since the end of this week. Okay, by the first part of next week I’ll be ready for you to do a final walk-through.”

Eugene looked over at Natalie. “Ready to walk through it with me?”

“Absolutely.” She made a mental note to go through herdesign notes and make sure everything she’d ordered was ready for delivery. “Linc, you’re sure it’s finished?”

Linc grinned. “Of course. I wouldn’t say so if it wasn’t.”

She was excited. Getting Eugene in his house was everything. It spelled permanence, even though she knew he wasn’t staying here forever.

Was he? No, of course he wasn’t.

But had things changed? She hadn’t asked him. She couldn’t. Wouldn’t.

Why not? Tell him how you feel. Then ask him. Ask him to stay. Not just for the duration of his project, but permanently.

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