Page 10 of About Time You Noticed

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TOMMY EYED HIS SISTER standing with her arm threaded through Paul's. Who said the first year of marriage was the hardest? The two seemed inseparable.

"Pass me the lemonade, please." Tommy stretched across his parent's dining table, taking the pitcher from his mother. He turned to Sarah. "Do you want a refill?"

She peered through her auburn lashes. "Yes. Thank you." The slight curve of her lips sent a jolt of awareness through him.

He steadied her glass and poured the liquid. That hadn't happened before. And what was that delicious scent she wore? A new lemony shampoo? He breathed deeply, taking it in.

Mom swirled pasta onto her fork and held it above her plate. "How's business, Sarah? Taking on more clients?"

Sarah blinked. "Last month, I tried a coupon promotion, and I'm booked most days."

Becca seasoned her pasta. "Sarah has more important news to share." Becca gave a coy smile.

Sarah's cheeks flushed a pretty pink. "Becca," she whispered.

His sister flung her head back and laughed. "Come on. Mom and Dad are like your second parents. You can tell them." Becca wobbled her head from side to side as if she came from India. "It's exciting, Sarah. They'll be happy for you."

Mom stroked the long braid that hung over her shoulder. "Do tell."

Tommy stiffened. What was Becca doing? He needed her to be on his side, warning Sarah to take her time. She was as bad as Emily. Maybe Mom would give sound advice.

Sarah inched her chair closer. Dad raised a curious brow and glanced to Mom, who'd dropped her fork and leaned in for the week's gossip.

"I'm going on a date this weekend."

Mom bobbed her head. "Oooh. Who's the lucky guy?"

Sarah raised one shoulder. "A friend of Tom's.” She jerked her thumb in Tommy’s direction. “He kind of set us up."

Tommy gulped hard. Why did she keep saying that? If things went sour, she’d blame him. "I didn't do much. Just passed on the message Edward was interested."

Dad patted his mouth. "Edward. What's he like, Tommy? Is he good enough for Sarah?"

Finally, the support he needed. Tommy extended his hand, gesturing toward Dad. "That's the big question, isn't it?"

Paul placed his arm around Becca and addressed Tommy. "But he's a friend of yours. You wouldn't have played matchmaker if he wasn't a decent guy."

"I’m not going to be responsible for what happens next." Tommy cut into his chicken and paused. "Edward seems legit. Has a good reputation. But Sarah should exercise caution anyhow. I don't know if he has any skeletons in his closet."

Paul scowled. "Sounds like you didn't do much of a background check before you okayed the dude. You didn’t interrogate him?"

Sarah spat out a stream of lemonade and covered her mouth. "Excuse me?"

Everyone stared at Sarah, who didn’t even apologize. Her face reddened, and her eyes lasered across the table in Paul’s direction.

"I don't need anyone interviewing my dates. Thank you very much, Paul."

Tommy waved a signal to back off, but Paul frowned back at her.

Becca shrugged away from Paul's arm. "She's right. Sarah is old enough to discern for herself, and she doesn't need you two"—she wriggled a finger at Tommy and Paul—"telling her what to do. She gets enough of that from her father." Becca tilted her head at Sarah and mouthed, sorry.

An awkward silence settled as Mom and Dad darted glances and stared at Sarah. Dad sipped lemonade and his eyes widened at Tommy as if to say, fix this, son.

Tommy squeezed Sarah's shoulder. "We only care about you and don't want to see you hurt. But you're one hundred percent right. Paul and I need to zip it and keep out of your love life."

Sarah's expression softened. "Please, don’t feel like you can't say anything." She touched his leg under the table, and the friendly gesture did more to him than he'd like to admit. "I'm a little sensitive to smothering." Her lashes fluttered. "You know my dad and what he’s like."

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