Page 15 of Coming Home

“Even better. May I introduce Ms. Coco ChaNUT!” Willa cheered.

A drag queen with a short black bob and ruby-red lips sashayed into the room. A black cocktail dress hugged her statuesque figure. “Bonjour,mon petites,” Ms. ChaNut purred in a thick French accent.

“Oh my god!” Viet and Elle squealed happily.

“By the end of my seminar, your lovers will be saying that,” she sassed.

“Who’s Ms. ChaNut?” Nat’s head tilted, looking between Willa and Elle.

“Ms. ChaNUT is a fabulous drag performer and sex therapist who runs workshops on how to give…” She motioned with her hands.

She didn’t have to finish the statement. Nat knew exactly what she was saying. Mortification engulfed her. What could be worse than sitting in her brother’s mancave learning how to…

“Mademoiselle, when we last met at that handsome man’s bachelor party…” Ms. ChaNut pointed a red manicured finger at Viet, “…that was for a room full of the penis lovers. Today we are in mixed company. We will tap into your oral fixation for both. Whether you prefer a baguette, a quiche, or both. I don’t judge.”

Ok, that’s worse.Nat’s eyes widened in horror.This is not happening.

“Aw, Nat, your face is beet-red,” Mathew taunted.

“Hey, Mathew, why don’t you pay attention? You may learn something,” Noah said. Lines of frustration creased his face.

“Well, I could probably teach the quiche section.”

“Here,” Carmen said, handing her husband a notebook and pen. “Take notes.”

Mathew blanched as laughter filled the room.

Noah bent close to her ear and murmured, “Ignore Mathew. I think we’re all equally uncomfortable.”

“Willa’s not.” Her eyes drifted to Willa, an amused smile hidden behind her Champagne flute.

“Confidence and insecurity sometimes look the same.”

She tilted her head to him. “What does that mean?”

“Some people overcompensate for insecurities with false bravado, while some deliberately hide their confidence to appease the insecurities of others.”

Which am I? Which are you?She blinked, breaking their woven gazes.

“Pay attention, Wilson, you may learn something,” Mathew chastised with a twinge of mockery.

“Hey, if he’s distracting Nat from paying attention, that’s okay with me. In fact, Nat, do you want to take Fitz and Lizzie for a walk?” Clayton’s tone was half-joking, but his tense expression displayed his overprotective big brother side.

“Nope,” she said, lips pursed.

This was uncomfortable for both of them but for different reasons. Her discomfort was at the fact that she was learning sexy time activities at a pre-wedding activity for her brother in his house. Clayton’s blush and stuttered, “ex…ex…excuse me?” when she’d first brought up sex in his presence flashed in her mind. Despite her twenty-eight years, her brother still treatedher like a little girl. He’d have a coronary if he knew about the vibrator in the nightstand in the Little Red Barn.

“Carmen, can I borrow a piece of paper and pen?” Smirking, her audacious gaze remained fixed on her brother.

Clayton grunted.

Elle patted his cheek. “She’s an adult.”

“But she’s still my little sister.” The protest was dipped in regret. As if he’d failed somehow.

Nat wanted to quell his feelings. So much of his life was spent as a big brother and her a little sister. It had to be hard to realize she wasn’t that pigtailed little girl anymore. Part of her wanted to put the notebook down, make a joke, and take the dogs for a walk, allowing his discomfort to dissolve.

Not discomfort, but his insecurity.She gnawed on her lip, thinking of Noah’s take on Willa’s over-the-top confidence versus the limitations some put on themselves to make others feel better. Was Nat the latter and not the former?

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