Page 13 of Coming Home

Like a killer from a slasher movie who refused to die, the electric heat of her long-standing attraction to this man returned. Each nerve ending exploded into awareness as the tropic-level heat radiated in the inches between them.

The muscles of his throat worked. Each flex and swallow telegraphed the careful consideration of what to say. He cleared his throat. “Janet has an eye for flowers.”

“She does… Thank you for these.”

The elixir of his pine and mint scent coiled around her. It both tensed and relaxed her muscles. It had never been like this. Awkward and comfortable at the same time. Even with her long-lasting crush, the space between them had never been clumsy. They’d never sniped at one another. There’d never been a reason for either to apologize. She didn’t like it. She’d never have him the way she wanted, but she could have his friendship.

“Noah, I’m sorry about snapping at you last night and my snide comment about Willa. I like Willa a lot, and I’m happy for the two of you.”

“There’s nothing going on between Willa and me. We’re just friends.”

Friends? Like us? Only you don’t let me touch you the way you let Willa. Of course, I’d never dare.

Shaking away the errant thought, she said, “Okay.”

“Let’s head over to the farmhouse.” Noah tipped his head toward the door.

“Okay, let’s go…friend.”

CHAPTER FIVE

“Let us be elegant or die!”~Louisa May Alcott,Little Women

Nat was in awe. The farmhouse kitchen and dining area had transformed from modern country chic to sophisticated English teahouse. Tiered silver trays of scones, tiny sandwiches, and cookies sat atop violet-hued linen tablecloths. Elegant string quartet music hummed in the background. The aroma of white roses and lavender mingled with the scent of fresh scones.

Guests sipped tea from petite purple teacups rimmed in gold and munched dainty snacks. Laughter filled the room from Mathew’s ill-begotten demonstration of how to drink pinkies up, resulting in tea sloshed onto his white shirt.

In the middle of everything were Clayton and Elle. In the constellations of love filling the home, they were the North Star. Love filled every corner of the farmhouse. Couples held hands, kissed, or enveloped one another.

Longing ached in Nat’s chest. She wanted that kind of love. Not just the sweetness but the kind of love where you’re seen for all that you are and aren’t. Truly seen.

I see you.Noah’s words lingered in her ears as she stood with Carmen and Willa. Her gaze drifted across the room to where he stood talking to Mathew. For a moment, their eyes met. What did he see when he looked at her?

“Willa, this high tea is adorable,” Carmen gushed, pouring peppermint tea from a purple porcelain teapot.

Nat shifted her focus back to the little group. “Agreed.” She raised her cup in salute. “You’re a goddess among queens.”

“Thanks.” Willa curtsied. The long strapless blue dress and peacock feather fascinator she wore added to the whimsy of the day.

Viet sauntered up, a teacup and saucer in hand. “This is classy, Wills. When you said you were planning high tea, I expected Long Island Iced Teas and strippers.”

“Well, the tea party is still in diapers.” She winked before stepping into the center of the room. “Everyone, may I have your attention!”

“Oh no, if a stripper jumps out of a scone, I’m out of here,” Viet quipped.

“That’d beonetiny stripper,” Nat joked, lifting a white-chocolate raspberry scone and breaking it in half. “Boo, mine has no stripper.”

“You’ve been working with Dad too long,” Clayton groaned, pinching his nose.

“No strippers, but we do have a special activity. Let us proceed to Clayton’s mancave. Leave your tea. I have proper drinks down there.” Willa regally waved her hand, directing the party to the basement door.

“It’s not a man cave,” Clayton protested.

“Knowing those two, it might be a sex dungeon,” Viet deadpanned.

Blushing like a cinnamon red-hot, Elle narrowed her eyes at her old friend.

“Come on,Fifty Shades, let’s go.” He looped his arm in hers and headed to the door.

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