Page 31 of The Distiller's Darling

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Aweek later, Naomi pushed her empty plate away. “That was delicious.”

Angelica beamed at her. “I’m so glad you liked it.”

“I had no idea you cooked.” Angelica had spent years as a popular character actress, an occupation that hadn’t left her much time for eating, let alone cooking, as far as Naomi knew.

“Max has been giving her lessons,” Noah said over the rim of his wine glass.

“Oh, boo, he told you.” Angelica frowned. “I was hoping you thought I was some kind of savant.”

Noah laughed. “I love you, and you’re brilliant in many ways, but going straight from grilled cheese to beef bourguignon was a stretch for believability.”

Naomi watched their interplay fondly. They really were good for each other. Noah had been on the verge of serious Grumpy Old Man-hood before Angelica had moved in next door to him. They’d battled each other on many fronts before figuring out their heated exchanges were actually sparked by a major attraction. And then Noah had done what nobody had expected him to: decided Angelica was worth putting aside all of his weird family issues and making a real commitment.

So now here they all were, having dinner in Noah’s modern kitchen. He’d asked for Naomi’s help in convincing Angelica to take the next step and actually marry him. Why he thought Naomi would be a good choice as advocate, she had no idea. She was probably the least marriage-minded person he knew. Presumably, even Max and Sean wanted to get married someday, while she had no interest whatsoever in the institution. But she had known Noah since they were children, so apparently she was his first line of attack.

“So, Angelica, what’s your schedule like coming up?” She tried to keep it casual. Not that it mattered. Angelica was no dummy. She probably knew perfectly well what Noah’s plans were. How she would respond was a mystery to everyone but her—something that drove Noah crazy. Naomi appreciated that.

“We’re shooting for three weeks in Portland, and then we have to double back to do a few re-shoots in Colorado. Then back here for a research break, I think.”

“Looking up more cute small towns to film?”

“Yep. The hospitality angle has been the most popular with our test viewers so far, so the network wants to hunt down some more bed and breakfast renovations to feature.”

“Sounds fun.” Hopefully she sounded convincing. Nothing about Angelica’s job actually seemed fun. Naomi had gotten her fill of constant travel years before.

Angelica laughed. “Nice try.”

Naomi grinned at her friend. “I have no idea what you like so much about being on camera.”

Angelica shrugged. “I’m good at it, and these days, I get to do it by being myself and talking about something I love instead of having to be some other actress’s fake best friend or the girl who dies in the first ten minutes of a movie.”

“I liked that one,” Noah observed. “You’re a good die-er.”

“Gee, thanks.” Angelica rolled her eyes. “It took ages to get the fake blood out of my hair. I thought I was going to have to chop it all off.” She tossed her head, golden waves bouncing gently off her shoulders.

Noah reached out and tugged a strand of hair. “It would have grown back.”

“Not in time for ’Clueless.’” Angelica’s biggest role had been in a remake of the teen classic. She’d played the awkward friend, Tai. Naomi had seen the movie well before she met Angelica, and she still marveled that the curvy, vibrant woman sitting across from her could ever have been that person on screen.

“Speaking of time…” It was her job to keep this conversation on track. “Think you’ll have time during your research breaks for my buddy, here?” She waved vaguely in Noah’s direction.

He rolled his eyes. “Smooth, Nay.”

She shrugged helplessly. “I do what I can.”

Angelica narrowed her eyes at both of them. “Is this a marry-me-Angelica intervention?”

Noah had the grace to look guilty. “Maybe.”

“I can’t believe you agreed to this, Naomi.”

“He caught me at a weak moment!” she protested. “It’s not my fault!”

“What kind of weak moment?” Angelica’s gaze sharpened. “Maybe one having to do with Iain Brennan?”

Noah’s head snapped around so fast Naomi thought his neck might break. Now she was the focus of both of their attention. She’d forgotten that couples in love sometimes turned into bizarre and frightening two-headed Cerberuses of judgement.

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