Page 78 of A Perfect Pairing
Noelle stopped and reached for Natasha’s hand. “Come on. We have to go together.”
She skipped happily between them, and Natasha’s heart filled to near bursting. Several people shopping in the store scrutinized them as they passed, some sneaking glimpses and others more obvious. One woman even outright asked if they were practicing for their own. Natasha took her cue from Antonio, who didn’t comment.
Back in the car minutes later, he covered her hand. “You okay? I was so anxious to spend time with you that I didn’t think about how it would look or what people would say.”
“I’m fine. What we do is our business.” Natasha shifted in her seat to face him. “And you know what else? If I decide to kiss you in the middle of Main Street, I’m going to do it.”
“We can absolutely make that happen, but I’ll just take one here for now.” Antonio leaned over and touched his mouth to hers.
Noelle giggled. “You kissing like Mommy and Daddy.”
Natasha and Antonio glanced at Noelle in her car seat wearing a big grin, then at each other, and burst out laughing. “I think we should get going.”
“Probably, before you get us in trouble.”
Her mouth fell open.“Me?”
“Yes, you, Miss-I’ll-kiss-you-in-the-middle-of-Main-Street.”
She fell back against the seat and clamped her jaws shut since she didn’t have a comeback for that one, rolling her eyes when he chuckled.
They stopped to get ice cream before going to the park. After enjoying the sweet treat at one of the picnic tables, they took Noelle to the playground. Natasha had as much fun as Noelle on the slides, climbing structures, and swings.
Antonio stood behind Noelle and pushed her on the swing, then moved to the next one and did the same for Natasha.
“Go higher, Uncle Tony,” Noelle said.
Natasha leaned her head back and echoed the little girl. “Yeah, higher, Tonio.” He laughed and kept alternating between them, being careful not to let Noelle go too high. As Natasha’s swing came back toward him, he caught it, snuck in a quick kiss, and sent her sailing again.
A few minutes later, Antonio said, “Okay, last time. Then we have to go.”
“Aw,” Natasha and Noelle chorused.
Natasha slowed her swing and jumped off like she’d done as a kid. “This was the best time ever. I could do this forever.” Being with him and Noelle today made her long for a family of her own.
He swung Noelle up on his shoulders and dipped his head to kiss Natasha. “And we will.”
She froze.What did that mean?It was the first time he’d hinted at something more permanent. Natasha had been afraid to hope, but maybe this time they’d get it right.She’dget it right.
CHAPTER 29
Monday, two weeks later, Natasha sat in her office with a smile on her face. It had been a permanent fixture on her face since her outing with Antonio and Noelle. And to add icing to her decadent cake, Kathleen had come back last week and had basically kept to herself, taking the tension in the place down to zero.
She opened an email from a prospective buyer who had made an offer on the Ward home and sighed. Their loan had been denied, and they had to withdraw. Natasha replied, then sent a text to Chase to let him know she’d be going back to the drawing board.
Her cell rang, and she frowned at the display, not recognizing the number or the area code. “Hello,” she said tentatively, hoping it wasn’t a spam call. There had been an increase in everyone around town getting them.
“Is this Natasha Baldwin?”
“May I ask who’s calling?” Natasha didn’t give out any personal information unless necessary, particularly when she didn’t know the identity of the caller.
“Yes. This is Ana Webb, calling from Yarbrough Technologies. Ms. Baldwin was referred to us by Daphne Lockett, and I was hoping to speak to her about an interior design project.”
She bolted upright in her chair. “This is Natasha.” Daphne had mentioned passing her name along, but she figured that meant to people around town. Natasha had never heard of this company and did an immediate search. “How can I help you?” The company name popped up and was located in Los Angeles.
“Our company frequently brings in analysts and programmers for extended stays, depending on the project. We’ve recently purchased a ten-unit apartment complex that has been renovated and now needs the next step to make it a home away from home.”
Her heart pounded in excitement. “Are you looking for simple or minor changes or a complete overhaul, including furniture?”
