If she didn’t know any better, she would have sworn she saw him crack a genuine smile.
***
Olivia pushed her chopsticks into a carton of vegetable fried rice and scooped out a small amount. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had Chinese food, or when she and the Chick Clique—she had to come up with a better name before that one stuck in perpetuity—had gathered after church for lunch. They were sitting at Riley’s kitchen table, and like her art, the space was bright, colorful, and eclectic.
Using a fork, Harper dunked a steamed dumpling into soy sauce. “I really miss our lunches, ladies. Thanks, Riley, for suggesting this.”
Anita nodded. “Tanner didn’t put up too much of a fuss when Rusty suggested they play nine rounds this afternoon. He’s not a golf fan, but maybe it will grow on him.” She grinned and sprinkled her egg foo yung with brown sugar. “Dad’s hoping it will.”
Olivia looked at her friend’s concoction and blanched. Harper and Riley did the same. “How long are pregnancy cravings supposed to last?”
Harper shrugged. “Mine are tapering off, oddly enough. I’m thankful they stopped early. Rusty was threatening to eat in a different room.”
“Tanner already has. A couple of times.” Anita pushed away her dish. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to gross y’all out.”
“It’s okay.” Riley patted her arm and put the plate back in front of her. “You eat what you and the baby want. We’re made of stronger stuff than the men.”
They all laughed, and Olivia went back to her fried rice.
“I figured you and Kingston would be spending the afternoon together,” Harper said to her with a wink.
“Y’all sure were cuddly last night.” Anita cut off a piece of the sweetened egg foo yung. “Now that you’re official, tell us when you first started to like him.”
Olivia stilled. Here was another curve she hadn’t anticipated. Her closest friends would want to know details. Out of the four she was the least romantic—and she had always been fine with that. Maybe it’s why she hadn’t thought about coming up with a story for her and Kingston. She should have.
“He swept you off your feet, didn’t he?” Harper picked up another dumpling.
Olivia’s mind went back to their make-out session on his car.He sure did.
“Aww, you’re blushing.” Anita sighed. “This is so sweet.”
No, it was torture. She crammed her chopsticks into the container.
Riley put a spring roll on her plate. “I’m surprised he has time for a girlfriend. As long as I’ve known him, he’s alwaysbeen busy. Busier than Hayden, even, and I didn’t think that was possible.”
Anita nodded. “Up until two weeks ago, we rarely saw him. He’s on an extended vacation right now. Right, Olivia?”
She nodded as she shoveled rice into her mouth.
“Where is he this afternoon?” Harper asked. “You didn’t say.”
Olivia swallowed and set the container down, the rice settling into a lump in her stomach. “He’s practicing with Sunny for the showcase.”
“That’s the recital at the end of dance lessons,” Anita explained to Harper and Riley.
“Why aren’t you there?” Riley asked. Harper nodded.
“Why would I be?”
Harper raised a perfectly groomed eyebrow. “To keep an eye on them.”
“Why?”
All three of them looked at her in disbelief. “You and Kingston are brand-new,” Anita said in the gentle tone she used with her toddler Sunday-school class. “Like, not even twenty-four hours. I’m not saying you can’t trust him, but—”
“You need to stake your claim on your man, Olivia.” Harper gave her a pointed look. “Kingston’s a catch. Scratch that. He’s an über-catch.”
“He’s always had women chasing after him,” Anita said.
