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She shook her head. “To new beginnings.”
Twenty-Five
Stacy paced across his living room, paused to glance out the window, and then resumed pacing. Nick sat on the couch, his arms outstretched along the back of it, and eyed her with a mixture of concern and amusement.
“Why isn’t she here yet? She’s usually so timely.”
“I’m sure she’ll be here any minute. Why don’t you come and sit down?”
“I can’t. I’m too nervous to sit.”
Nick had invited Fran over after work, telling her only that he wanted to talk to her about something important and that he didn’t want anyone in the office to overhear. It had been her idea, but now that it was really happening, she was a bundle of nerves.
On her next pass by the window, she saw Fran’s SUV pull into the parking lot.
“She’s here,” Stacy said.
“Good. Now we can get this over with and get back to the business of being in love.”
He came up beside her and kissed her cheek. “It’s going to be fine. I promise.”
She inhaled deeply and attempted a smile. “If I look like I’m about to pass out, be ready to catch me.”
“Always.”
Then the intercom buzzed, and he went to answer it. “Come on in,” he said, sounding as casual as if they were having a pizza delivered.
Stacy shoved her shaking hands into the pockets of her dress slacks and took another deep breath.
Nick shot her an encouraging smile right before he opened the door to admit his aunt. Fran bustled into the apartment like she owned the place, and then she gave her nephew a brief hug.
Stacy stood by the window in silence and watched their interaction with interest. Whenever she saw Fran like this, it confirmed her boss was a real person, not just an automaton. She felt herself relax a little.
Then, as if she’d sensed herself being watched, Fran turned her head and spotted Stacy. “Hello,” she said, sounding unsurprised but giving nothing else away.
“Hello, Fran.”
“Why don’t we all sit down?” Nick said, ushering Fran into the room.
Fran took the chair, leaving the couch for Nick and Stacy.
Did she do it on purpose? Why doesn’t she seem surprised to see me here?
Fran clasped her hands on her lap and leaned forward, seemingly waiting for one of them to speak.
Nick cleared his throat. “The reason I asked you here—”
Fran shook her head. “Let me put you two out of your misery.”
Stacy’s eyes went wide, and she glanced at Nick, who also looked surprised.
“I already know what you’re going to say, and I’m okay with it.”
“You do?” Nick said.
“You are?” Stacy said at the same time.
Fran nodded. “I’ve suspected for a while, but when I saw you two at IHOP, that confirmed it.”
