Page 31 of The Dating Contract

“I guess we needed that extension?”

Vindication was great, he decided. But more importantly. “Tomorrow?”

“Four at the JCC, okay?”

He nodded. “Right. And then do you want a ride back to Manhattan?”

He waited, wondering what she’d say.

“You know what, yes. Which means I can take the train with my cousin tonight.”

He nodded. “So see you tomorrow at four?”

“Tomorrow at four. Looking forward to it.”

And when he ended the call, he was more excited than he’d been before.

*

Leah was exhausted.Catching the train back to Briarwood was a pain, and finding two seats together during rush hour was a minor miracle. But she and Naomi managed it and were headed back to Briarwood. “So what’s up?” she asked her cousin.

“Livvy’s talking about a family trip but I noped out of that conversation so fast.”

“Why?”

“Because I’d rather not waste my time planning something that is actually not going to happen.”

Leah snorted. “Your parents would want a family trip this close to Judith’s wedding?”

“And then there’s the Livvy factor of it all,” Naomi confirmed. “Like it’s actually going to happen, knowing my sister is the worst workaholic in the world, which is saying something coming from me.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything,” Leah said with a laugh.

“Which is good, because I was going to ask you for an update on the boyfriend situation.”

Leah considered her cousin. This wasn’t Naomi’s style. If Naomi wanted to ask her something, she’d do it, not…like this. Which meant someone had asked Naomi for information. “Who’s sniffing?” Leah asked.

Naomi gave a long sigh. “You’re going to find out this weekend anyway, but Judith was sniffing around for info.”

Of course she was. Why was she not surprised Judith was trying to get information? Judith was an incurable busybody when it came to the matters of Leah’s life.

“But meanwhile, your sister-in-law is trying to keep everybody patient, but nobody knows impatience like Nachmans.”

And suddenly, Leah had a brand-new respect for Shayna. “Which is wonderful,” Leah replied, “because I’m taking him to Ramona’s hockey practice on Saturday afternoon.”

“Very interesting soft launch to the relationship.” Naomi paused. “If that’s what this is.”

Leah raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me? I…”

Naomi shook her head as the train pulled into the station. “I’m the last person in the world who should be judging this or you,” she said. “But you need to figure out what you want from this relationship, and what you’re willing to give.”

And as she pondered what she was going to do, Leah was even less sure of herself than she’d been before. But more importantly, she wondered how she was going to survive the weekend.

Chapter Ten

Samuel spent theentire drive to Briarwood on edge; the weekend was going to be busy, not the usual ease of Shabbat at his parents’ house.

And there was Leah, in the same town, probably having discussions over challah and wine with her family.

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