Page 84 of A Perfect Pairing
“Yeah, it was a sweet gesture, but I told him I’d hurt him if he ever tried to break up with me again.” The women howled with laughter. “Shoot, got me out here working hard for this second chance, and he’s acting up,” she added with a mock pout, which only made the women laugh harder. After they’d gotten everything straightened out, they had taken a walk by the lake and talked about how they would navigate her being gone. Antonio would fly down and meet her some weekends when it came time for her to be gone for longer stretches of time. “But we’re straight now.”
“So, that must have been when the famous lip-lock happened.” Dana chuckled. “Girl, you and Tony are keeping this town on its toes with this soap opera love affair. You know folks are taking bets that you two will be engaged by the end of the year.” She polished off the last piece of her cinnamon roll.
Natasha’s mouth fell open. “Are youserious? I heard a few comments, but I didn’t know anything about bets.” She shook her head. “These people need to find something else to do.”
Terri snorted. “It’s a small town, Tasha. I’ve learned over the past few years that people here take their amusements where they can get them. And a rekindled love affair that started when you two were teens is big news. So, is it considered something like insider trading if I ask you how close you are to a proposal, then place a bet?”
She swatted at her friend. “Just hush. He hasn’t said anything about us getting engaged anytime soon.” Antonio had hinted at them being together long term at the park that day, but the subject of marriage had never come up. Not that she wouldn’t marry him in a heartbeat if he asked, but despite it feeling as if they had been together a lifetime, in reality, it had only been about three months.
Serenity narrowed her eyes and pointed a finger at Natasha. “Well, since we’re your BFFs, I expect us to get inside informationbeforethe masses.”
“And before my mother,” she cracked. When Natasha called her a few days ago, her mother hadn’t been apologetic one bit and said, “Of course I had to brag on my baby.”
“I am so glad my parents didn’t grow up here,” Serenity said.
Terri lifted her hand for a high five. “Same, my sister.”
“I think I’m going to skip the whole dating thing, then,” Dana said. “My entire family is here, and my mother is as bad as yours.”
They shared stories about their mothers embarrassing them, and then the conversation shifted to tomorrow’s supper club. “What time are you thinking for dinner tomorrow, Serenity?” Natasha asked.
“Probably around three. That way we’ll have plenty of time to relax afterward, and no one has to rush since Monday’s a workday.”
“Works for me.” Natasha’s cell rang, and she checked the display. “This is Chase. Let me see what he needs.” She connected. “Hey, Chase.”
“Hey, Tasha. I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time.”
“Oh, no, you’re fine. I’m just hanging out at the Bake Box with my girls. How’s your mom adjusting?”
“Not too badly. Your finding and sending the photo albums helped a lot. But that’s not why I called. I know it’s Saturday and you’re off, but I received a call with an offer that’s above the asking price.”
“That’s fantastic. If you send me the name, I’ll get in touch first thing Monday morning.”
“Actually, the party is wondering if you’d be able to meet at the house today around two.”
Natasha took a quick peek at her watch. That was only forty-five minutes from now. “Sure. It shouldn’t take long to walk them through and start the preliminary work. If it turns out that they want it, do you want to accept the offer?”
“Absolutely. Thanks, Tasha.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll call you later this afternoon and let you know how it goes. I am kind of curious as to why they didn’t just contact me if it’s someone who lives here.”
“I have no idea. Gotta run. I’ll let them know you’ll be there.”
“Okay.” She disconnected and frowned. Was it someone close to his family? That might explain why they went directly to him. Whatever the case, she’d find out when she got there. “As you heard, there’s a potential buyer for the house, and I need to meet them out there in a little while.”
“Keeping my fingers crossed this one will be the one,” Dana said.
Natasha finished up her food, stood, and hugged her friends. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow. Serenity, if you have anything specific in mind for table decorations, text me.”
“Will do. Now go sell that house, girlfriend.”
Laughing, she weaved her way through the tables to the exit. Natasha made a quick stop at her office to pick up the information packet she had put together, then drove over to the house.
What’s Antonio doing here?His truck was parked in the driveway when she pulled up. She thought he’d finished all the renovations. Unlocking the front door, she called his name. No answer. Natasha retraced her steps and walked around the porch to the back. She spotted him leaning against the big oak tree at the far edge of the yard with one foot bent and resting on the trunk and his arms folded. He seemed deep in thought. The pose was so sexy, she pulled out her phone, zoomed in, and hit the camera button to take a picture.
She descended the deck steps and crossed the yard. “Hey, Tonio. What are you doing here? Is there something wrong with the house?”
Antonio straightened and kissed her softly. “Hey. No, the house is fine. It’s peaceful here.”
