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Her nice sounds as enthusiastic as the last one, but I smile anyhow. “It’s nice to be here, thank you. You have a lovely home.” In a creepy kind of way.
“Well, thank you.”
The muscled arm appears again and places an arugula salad with dried cranberries and dollops of white stuff (goat cheese?) in front of me, then Jake and Preston. The redhaired butler places one in front of Magnolia and Ruby. Another one tends to Nanna and Harris at the other end of the table, but I manage to keep my eyes to myself this time.
I immediately dig in.
“So, you two,” Magnolia says, her eyes moving between me and Jake. “How did you meet? Did I miss the story yet?”
Jake jumps in since I’m still chewing. “Her restaurant.”
I nod.
“I was at the bar, and she came by to see how I was enjoying everything.”
“And did you know who he was? Do you follow Nascar?” She seems amused at the idea. It’s their whole world.
“She didn’t,” he says. “Not at first.”
I stop mid-chew, cut my eyes at him. It’s almost as if…as if he’s talking about the first time we met. The real version.
Magnolia tsks. “Now son, I raised you better than that. Let her speak for herself.”
He places a hand on my leg. Winks at me. “Sorry, muffin. Go ahead.”
Muffin?
He’ll pay for that.
I subtly flick his hand off and answer Magnolia. “He’s right. I didn’t know who he was at first. My dad watches Nascar, but I’m not really into it.”
“Oh?” she says.
A voice at the other end startles me. “Liar.”
We all flinch.
Nanna.
Ruby groans. Takes a long sip of wine.
I look between Nanna and Magnolia, unsure who or what she was talking about.
“Liar!” she says again. “She was into it when she was little.”
Jake reclines into his chair, then polishes off the drink he brought with him.
Ruby leans into the table and whispers to me, “She thinks she’s psychic.”
“Oh.” I look down at her again but quickly look away. I don’t know whether to laugh or be in awe. She’s right—I watched races when I was little. Way before Jake ever got on the track.
Magnolia changes the subject. “You two only down for one night?”
“We are,” Jake replies, setting down his empty glass.
“Another one, sir?” the red-haired butler asks.
He seriously considers it but shakes his head.
