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"Tell me, how did you manage to settle Lincoln down?" Cathleen asked as she sliced cheddar cheese into cubes and added it to a wooden cutting board alongside other cheeses, crackers, and grapes.
"I don’t know what I did," I admitted with a small laugh. "We just fell in love."
"I never thought he would settle down," she said, smiling warmly.
"He’s wonderful," I confirmed, feeling a wave of affection for Lincoln.
Cathleen’s smile deepened. “Would you like a glass of white wine?”
“Yes, please. I can get it,” I offered, not wanting to impose.
“Sit, you’re a guest,” she insisted, gesturing for me to remain seated on the gray cushioned stool. I leaned on the burnt almond granite island as she prepared a glass of wine for me from an already opened bottle.
"Lincoln tells me you know Morgan," Cathleen said as she slid the half-full glass of wine toward me.
My stomach churned slightly, wondering what she was hoping to learn. Diplomatically, I replied, “Yes, she’s my best friend.”
"I wish Michael would move on," Cathleen commented, her tone tinged with concern.
"I’m sorry it didn’t work out. Morgan is a lovely person," I replied carefully.
"I gathered that," she said, a note of sadness in her voice. "I’m afraid Michael might try to wait out her marriage rather than find someone else."
The conversation grew awkward as I found myself caught between Lincoln’s brother and my best friend. I didn’t know what to say and was relieved when Lincoln entered the kitchen, taking the glass of wine from my hand and sipping it.
“Lincoln! I taught you better. If you want a glass of wine, I’ll pour you one,” his mother chastised, though her tone was light.
“I like sharing with Erika. She doesn’t mind,” Lincoln replied, planting a wet kiss on my cheek as he rubbed my back. As his mother busied herself at the refrigerator, he leaned in to whisper in my ear, “The offer to have sex is still on the table. Just let me know.”
I shook my head in disbelief but stopped when Cathleen turned around, my face heating with embarrassment.
“Are you all right, dear?” she asked, noticing my flushed cheeks. “Your face is red.”
“It’s the wine, Mother,” Lincoln explained smoothly.
“Maybe you should stick to water,” she suggested, casting a knowing look at Lincoln.
I shot Lincoln a dirty look as he drained the rest of my wine, then went to retrieve a bottle of Pellegrino from their industrial-sized stainless steel refrigerator.
Lincoln’s family made me wish mine were the same way. They laughed and joked throughout the entire meal, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We dined on butternut squash soup, sausage polenta with nestled eggs, assorted homemade mini muffins, tea biscuits, and scones with apple and maple butter. Dessert was pecan pie with vanilla bean ice cream, and by the time we finished, I was stuffed.
Storm, Talon’s girlfriend, was pleasant enough and undeniably beautiful. Her long dark tresses hung at her waist, and her beer-colored eyes twinkled when she smiled. Talon mentioned she had been a model but had quit to concentrate on her studies at NYU. He hung on her every word, and it was clear how deeply in love he was. I hoped it worked out for his sake.
Michael’s subdued demeanor was hard to miss. After we helped clean up from brunch, he approached me as I was heading to the bathroom.
“Erika?” Michael’s voice was tinged with sadness.
I turned to face him, offering a gentle smile. “Hi, how are you?”
“Not good,” he admitted. “I miss her.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice softening. “She’s happy. You have to let her go.”
Michael’s eyes searched mine, filled with a mix of hope and desperation. “I want to wait.”
“For what?” I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral. “She loves Slade.”
Michael’s shoulders slumped slightly. “Would you wait for Lincoln?”
