Page 65 of The Estate
That wasn’t what Cal expected. Before he could formulate a response, Jess was back. As her sister sat, Cal saw Rachel shut down. It felt like a mask slipped into place.
He certainly wasn’t going to get any answers today about their kiss. He wondered if he’d ever get answers to the host of new questions he now had.
Chapter Twenty-One
If You’re Here, You’re Family
She should have known bringing Cal to lunch would send the wrong message to her friends. Of course, when she texted to ask about Cal attending, she knew they would tease her. She hoped that once they got it out of their system, they’d go back to normal. But as soon as Cal showed up to the Blueberry Muffin, Rachel was subjected to her friends’ sighs, swoons, and little heart eyes every time they looked at her.
While she had to curtail her friend’s doe-eyed stares, she couldn’t fault them either. Cal walked in and her universe narrowed to him. His jeans hugged his body perfectly and the quarter zip green sweater he wore made his eyes almost glow. Or that’s how it seemed to her.
When he arrived, he immediately looked around until he found her, coming to join her. She had to forbid herself from reaching out to touch the rough texture of his unshaven face.
She introduced him to everyone, trying not to stare. If she wasn’t careful, she’d be the one making heart eyes at him. Rachel scowled at Lottie and Alex again, hoping this time they’d get the message and chill. They hadn’t even sat down to eat yet, and the pair was practically measuring her for a bridal gown. At least Lottie had the decency to look embarrassed while Alex flashed ahuge smile and a thumbs up. Mercifully, Cal was busy chatting with their other friends, so he missed the entire exchange.
Mrs. S breezed in, carrying a few large, blue Pie boxes. Dragging her attention away from Cal, she went to help.
“Hey Mrs. S,” she said. “I’ll take these from you.”
“Thank you, dear. Much appreciated.”
Lottie and Lisa joined them too. Lottie hugged the older woman as soon as Rachel had taken the packages. “Mrs. S,” Lottie said. “I really appreciate you delivering my order. I could have come and gotten it.”
“No need, Lottie. It was on my way. Besides, I wanted to see Lisa and wish her the best.” She reached out and gave Lisa a big hug.
“Please tell me you’re staying,” Lisa said when they’d stepped apart.
“I’d love to, but I’m having dinner and playing cards with George and Jackie later. And if I’m not there to keep George in line, he cheats something fierce,” she laughed.
“Dad says the same about you,” Adam said as he joined them. Giving Mrs. S a kiss on the temple, he added, “Meanwhile, with you two fighting, Mom always seems to sneak in there and take both of you to the bank.”
“That she does,” Mrs. S laughed. “It’s always the quiet ones.” She smirked. “Speaking of which, where is Jake?”
“Right here, Mrs. S,” he called, hustling over.
Mrs. S grabbed the top box from Rachel’s hands and gave it to Jake. “This is the cake. So just take that one to the kitchen for me, would you?”
Jake squinted at her. “You mean to tell me you made today’s cake? I am perfectly capable of making… Lisa a cake.”
Rachel really wanted to know why he’d hesitated. Was it perhaps because he wanted to say something like ‘my girl’ or ‘my girlfriend, Lisa’? That would be incredible if Jake and Lisa ever got out of their own way and realized how much they cared for each other. But now she sounded a little too like Alex and Lottie, so she pushed that thought away. Their group did not need any more matchmaking and scheming.
“Jake, honey.” Mrs. S patted his cheek lovingly, her lips curving up in a big smile. “You and I both know you should stick to the savory stuff and leave the sweet stuff to me.”
Jake laughed, shaking his head. He and Mrs. S had an ongoing friendly argument over whose recipes were better. Honestly, it was difficult to choose, as both were amazing.
“I bow to your greater expertise,” Jake snickered, turning to go into the kitchen. “But just this once,” he called over his shoulder before he disappeared.
“He’ll never learn,” Mrs. S said fondly, grabbing the next box from Rachel’s arms. “Now Lisa, this is the long promised…”
“BUCKLE!” Lisa yelled, her hands shooting out for the box. Mrs. S handed it off with a chuckle.
“Yes. This is the blueberry buckle I promised you. Happy birthday.”
Lisa hugged her with one hand, the other clutching the box tightly. “Thank you so much, Mrs. S. This is the best birthday ever.”
“My pleasure. Now there’s enough in there to share.” She started laughing when Lisa scowled at her. “Since I know you’reso generous with all your friends,” she went on. Grabbing the remaining box from Rachel, she passed that to Lisa and said, “So this is buckle just for you and Lottie for later.”
“This is the best Lisa birthday ever,” Lottie said, grinning.
