Page 22 of Recipe for Romance

When she came over, Nicole was momentarily dumbstruck by her looks. It was like she was looking at a brunette Marilyn Monroe. Curves encased in high-waist shorts and a blouse whose buttons looked like they were ready to pop off at any moment caught her attention first, but what held it was the woman’s gorgeous face and beautifully styled curls that were as thick as her wrist. “Nicole, this is Lottie. Lottie, this is Nicole. She’s working with Aiden.”

The woman’s brown eyes lit up at that information, her smile turning sly. “You’re working with the resident grump, huh?” She busted out a small notepad that looked a lot like the one Nicole used for cooking notes and pulled a pen from behind her ear. “Can you tell me about his plans for the Old Cider Mill? I’ve been dying to get the scoop on his new restaurant but he’s being even more tight-lipped than his brother.”

Nicole glanced at Felix for help, but he was working on another drink. “Uh...” Nicole trailed off. She wasn’t really sure how much she should share with someone who she’d just met. “I don’t really know that much about the restaurant.” She stared at the other woman for a moment, wondering why exactly she was so interested in anything Aiden had to do. Nicole tried to tell herself she wasn’t getting jealous, but she was definitely feeling something if the little prickle of annoyance at the back of her neck meant anything. “Is everyone in this town so nosey?” she blurted.

Lottie’s eyes widened before she started laughing, Nicole’s heart sinking at the sound. It wasn’t the first time she’d blurted the first thing on her mind and it wouldn’t be the last, but she’d hoped to make it through one evening without alienating someone. “Oh my God,” Lottie chortled. Her eyes watered as she stuffed the notebook into her back pocket. “Yes, they absolutely are and it’s nice to finally hear someone call us out on it. Sorry if I was being pushy.” She shrugged and smiled at Nicole apologetically. “I write the town newsletter, but more than that I love to know everything about everybody, but I sometimes forget that not everyone wants their story told.”

Nicole’s shoulders sagged with relief at not having made a total fool of herself. “No worries. We’ve all got our own weirdness going on. You like knowing about people, and I sometimes blurt out whatever pops into my head. It’s all good.”

Lottie smiled and nodded. “I like that, and I like you too, Nicole.” She flipped a tea towel over her shoulder like a seasoned bar keep. “What can I get you?”

Nicole glanced at the cider menu written on a long chalkboard above the bar. “Do you have anything without alcohol?”

Lottie nodded, grabbed an empty glass from behind her, and started mixing. Nicole watched as the woman whipped together a brightly colored drink, slipped some orange, apple, and lemon slices as well as cranberries into the mug, and slid it across the bar to Nicole. “One citrus cider punch mocktail for my new friend,” she said, her eyes warm and welcoming. “On the house.”

Nicole smiled as she took a sip of the drink, the burst of various citrus flavors on her tongue reminding her of a bright summer’s day. “Thanks, Lottie.” Nicole put the drink on the bar and took another glance around the space, noticing that everyone in attendance looked like they were having such a good time. Nicole was envious and wanted in. “So how does trivia night work? Is there a group I can join or do I have to sign up or anything?”

Lottie smiled as Felix rejoined them, pointing to a table near the back of the bar. “You can take my spot. The bar is more slammed than usual, so I won’t be playing tonight. My best friend Autumn is there along with Travis, Nate, Beckett, and his fiancé Willa. It’s a big group but you’ll fit right in.” Felix’s smile was genuine and since she’d already met Travis, Nicole didn’t see the harm in getting to know the rest of Aiden’s family. It would probably be even easier without the man himself there to distract her.

“That sounds like a great idea,” she said before finishing her drink. Pulling out her wallet, she slid a hundred dollar bill on the counter. Nicole didn’t normally like splashing money around, but since the one thing her dad could be counted on was a steady injection of cash into her bank account, she figured she could make an exception. It was clear from meeting them that the Kemp’s valued family over money, but she wanted to make a good impression on them and would use everything in her arsenal. “Can you get me a round of whatever the group is drinking? They’re looking a little thirsty.”

Felix grinned and took the cash. “I knew I liked you, Nicole.” He winked before he started putting together the drink order she’d just placed. She sighed internally. It really was too bad that Felix didn’t do it for her. He was so easy to get along with.

Lottie seemed to pick up on her distress and patted her hand. “Aiden’s not as easy at that one, but Felix is already taken.” Nicole raised a brow and Lottie just chuckled. “Oh, he doesn’t know it yet, but I can assure you he’s less single than he likes to think.”

Nicole shook her head. The town was awash in gossip and it seemed like the bar she was in just might be the hub. Some people might balk at Lottie seeming like a bit of a busybody, but she obviously cared about the people she was referencing and Nicole appreciated it. “I’m not sure if I want to hear more or less about that, or how exactly you know what you do, but either way, I think I’m going to like knowing you, Lottie.”

Lottie smiled. “I feel the same way.” With a parting nod, she walked over to start helping other customers.

Not long after, Felix returned with the drinks she’d ordered, helping her deliver them to the table so he could also make introductions. After meeting everyone, Nicole slipped onto a stool and prepared to have the good time she had been sorely missing.

“I think you’re teaming up with me tonight,” Autumn told her. Felix had introduced her as his best friend, and Nicole instantly felt an affinity toward the amiable woman. With pink hair the color of cotton candy and a smile as warm and welcoming as any she had ever seen, Nicole couldn’t help but feel like the two of them would be fast friends. “Sorry to inform you, but I’m kind of terrible at trivia.”

Nicole smiled at the woman who looked to be the same age as her. “No worries,” she reassured her. “I fully expect that I will crash and burn much harder than anyone else at this table.” She looked over at Beckett and his fiancé, Willa, who were canoodling, his hand lightly drifting up and down her neck. “Well, maybe noteveryone.” She and Autumn giggled as the two lovebirds seemed oblivious to the start of the first round. Nicole was slightly envious of their natural closeness, but it faded quickly as she and her teammate tried their best to answer the questions.

Twenty minutes later, Nicole and Autumn were practically in hysterics as they lost another round to just about everyone in the restaurant. Nate and Travis looked at each other blankly before turning to the two of them, their expressions bleak. “I can’t believe you thought the name of America’s first colony was Americatown,” Nate said. He held a hand over his face, looking slightly embarrassed to know her. Travis looked less mortified by their answer as he tried to hide a smile, and Beckett and Willa were too busy getting lost in each other’s eyes to care.

Nicole shrugged and continued to chuckle while Autumn wiped tears from her eyes. “It seemed like the right answer in the moment.” She smiled, nudging the mayor with her elbow. “Besides, it’s not like you did any better when they were asking about Pop music icons.”

“Fair,” Nate admitted. His eyes drifted to the bar and he seemed to momentarily get distracted by the brunette bombshell Nicole had met earlier before he turned back to the table. “I’m going to get another round. Still nonalcoholic for you?”

Nicole nodded and smiled. “Yes, please.” It was nice to be around a group of people who you felt instantly comfortable with. The only thing that would have made the night better was if Aiden was there too, though with the way they’d been acting toward each other, it was probably better that he wasn’t. Besides, wishing that Aiden could be there with her wouldn’t do any good. He seemed determined to avoid her unless absolutely necessary, and she would just have to make peace with that. As Nate returned with the drinks and the next round of trivia started, Nicole pushed Aiden from her mind, determined to do just that.

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