Page 251 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 1

I start laughing but am quick to cover my mouth with the back of my hand. “What kind of maniac skips dessert?”

It only takes one bite before I sink into the seat to let the sweetness take over. “This cake. It’s orgasmic.”

“Orgasmic?” Cookie asks. “Well then, I might need another piece to go,” she says, digging her fork in for a second bite. “For later.”

Nick sighs heavily as he sets his fork back on the table. “No, Mom. I can’t. I know you want to treat Andrew and me as the adults we are, but I just don’t think I can listen to sex talk around you.”

Natalie starts laughing, then Martine, with many others joining in, almost like the earlier incident never happened.That’s how I like it best.

When guests begin to leave, and others enjoy an after-dinner digestif, Natalie takes me by the hand and pulls me to a corner of the dining room. “Marcelles opened spots for their next cooking class. I was thinking it could be something we do together,” she says.

“You don’t want to take it with Nick?”

“I figured Nick wouldn’t be upset since he’ll benefit from the outcome. But more so, I thought it would be something fun for us to do together that’s not work-related. It will give us a guaranteed weekly date. I miss just spending time with you.”

She’s right.We haven’t been going out much, and now I know why—the baby. But also, work has picked up year over year. That’s why I need to get to work on this new plan. As for downtime, I may see Natalie almost every day, but I still miss my friend. “I’m really great at ordering food, but maybe I could learn a new skill and cook instead.” I wink.

“We can cook together, too. Maybe have a regular dinner?—”

“Let’s slow down,” I say, my hands flying up. “At least until after the first class.”

Holding her stomach, she giggles. “Good idea. I might have good intentions, but no promises it tastes good.”

“Natalie?”

Her mom calls her from the entryway. She gives my hand a squeeze. “I need to say goodbye, but I wanted you to know that I’m happy for you and Harrison.”

“What are you happy about?”

She holds a finger to her lips. “Don’t worry, I don’t think the others noticed, but Nick and I saw you in the window.”

My legs hitting the sill, my back to the window.I cringe as a second wave of mortification rolls over me. I swallow. “I’m sorry. He?—”

“Natalie, I’ll call you,” Martine says.

“I’ll be right there,” she calls back. “It’s okay. I just wanted you to know that I’m glad it seems you’ve made up.Literally.”

I restrain my laughter, but a giggle comes out. “Thanks for putting it so . . . nicely.”

Natalie’s in her mom’s and dad’s arms, both of them hugging her. I’d almost forgotten my parents and her dad were here. They tend to sneak away to talk business when they get together. As if me mentioning him in my head made him magically appear, my dad comes in through the butler’s pantry. “I’ve been looking for you, sweetheart.”

“I’ve been around,” I reply.

He comes straight for me and gives me a hug. “Are you doing all right?”

I put on my best stiff upper lip, just like they taught me. “I’m fine. No need to worry.”

“I do anyway.” His softer tone catches me off guard.

Suddenly feeling every bit his little girl, I rest my head on his shoulder. “Thanks, Dad.”

My dad kisses my head and then heads for the door. “Love you. Call me soon.”

“I will. Love you.”

After they leave, I grab my bag and head for the door. Just as I reach my best friend, Harrison comes from the living room. “You weren’t sneaking out, were you?”

“No. I made quite the show of things tonight. So why would I bother sneaking around now?”

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