“Obviously not, since you said it anyway.” But he was glad to see his family embrace her just like they’d done years ago. His grandmother had made it no secret that she believed they belonged together.
Once everyone had their seat, his father blessed the food. Plates were filled, and lively conversation ensued.
“Natasha, I didn’t get a chance to congratulate you on being the Realtor for the new building project,” his father said.
“Thanks, Mr. Hayes. I’m pretty excited about it. It gives me a chance to finally put my degree to use.”
“I wish I had remembered that when we did Mama’s cottage.”
Grandma Nora nodded. “The place can always use a little sprucing up.”
“And I’d love to see what you can do with Noelle’s room, Natasha,” April said. “She’s moving out of the toddler stage, and I’ve been trying to find something that’s not babyish but not too grown.”
“I’d love to talk to you. Let me know when you want to get started.”
“These services do come with a family discount, since you’re… practically… family?” Nate asked with a wave of his fork.
Antonio recognized what his brother was doing and wanted to knock him out. He didn’t want Natasha to be put on the spot or be made to feel uncomfortable in any way.
“Since we haven’t graduated to the whole family discount level, I’ll be more than happy to give you the we’re-not-quite-family-but-you-could-be-a-friend discount.” Natasha winked at Antonio.
He should’ve known she could handle herself with his family, and her statement proved it when everyone erupted in laughter.
His father wiped tears of mirth from his eyes. “Nate, I bet you’ll think twice before you try that again.”
Nate chuckled. “I’ll let you have that one, Tasha.”
“So when will she become family?” his mother asked innocently, not looking up from her plate.
Antonio groaned and sent Natasha an apologetic look. He hadn’t expected her to go there. “Mom, we’re not at that stage yet.”
“Mommy, what’s a stage?” Noelle asked.
April stammered and stuttered, then finally said, “It’s grown-up talk, so you don’t need to worry about it.”
This brought on another round of laughter and comments about watching what’s said around kids. The conversation shifted to stories about Noelle and some of the things she’d said. Antonio couldn’t have been happier to have the spotlight off him and Natasha. She must have sensed his turmoil because she reached under the table and gave his thigh a gentle rub, letting him know she was okay. They were still laughing and eating when the doorbell rang.
“I wonder who that could be,” his mother said, wiping her mouth and pushing back from the table. “I’ll be right back.”
A moment later Antonio thought he heard his brother mutter something that sounded like, “Oh shit.” He opened his mouth to ask him what happened but froze when he heard a familiar voice.
“Hello, my love.”
No, no, no. It can’t be. Yet when he turned, he came face-to-face with his ex-wife. She smiled at him as if she had every right to be there and hadn’t ripped his damn heart out. He had to hand it to her, though. She came dressed to kill in an ensemble he knew cost at least a grand, but he didn’t care. He wanted her gone.
“Aren’t you going to greet me, Antonio? I’ve missed you, baby.” Lori held her arms open as if she expected him to walk into them.
One could hear a pin drop as his family sat stunned. His mother wrung her hands as if she didn’t know what to do. He shifted his gaze to Natasha’s stricken expression and wanted to fly his ex to another planet on the first rocket leaving. He’d finally gotten over her and was now moving forward with the beautiful woman at his side.I donotneed this kind of drama in my life. Antonio jumped to his feet. “What the hell are you doing here, Lori?” he gritted out, completely forgetting about his young niece. April must have sensed something because out of his periphery, he saw her hustling Noelle out of the room.
Lori gave him the smile that used to make his heart skip a beat, but the only thing it turned now was his stomach. She came toward him, and when she reached up to touch him, he took two steps back.
“Yes, what are you doing here?” Grandma Nora said. “The last time you were here, you couldn’t wait to leave this little hillbilly town, as you called it. Now you come waltzing in here like you own the place, interrupting the family dinner you wanted no part of, so answer it and go on. My dinner’s getting cold.” She waved a dismissive hand.
Leave it to his grandmother to say what everyone around the table wanted to say. His family had no love for her after she’d acted as though small-town living equated tolesser than. “You have two minutes, and I’m being generous.” Antonio wanted no part in whatever game she came to play, and he’d bet his life savings she had an ulterior motive.
Natasha stood. “I’m going to just go.”
“No, baby. The only person leaving is her. Just give me a minute, okay?” His heart beat double time as he waited for her to say something. She finally nodded, but the sparkle in her deep-brown eyes had gone out. Antonio glared at Lori. “Let’s go.” He latched on to her arm and escorted her to the living room. “What are you doing here?”
