First the marching band dove ring setting up ownership in his head, pound, pound, pound, now this more insidious, seductive, niggle setting up shop. Somehow obliterating or putting on pause the dove ring’s call. He was a little grateful, sure, he could think, hell, he could probably even sleep, hah, had slept, thanks to its interference. Nico’s gaze locking on the tray. Those purple and white stripes. They were very, very familiar. He’d spent six glorious hours conked out on a recliner that had a cushion decorated in the exact same colours.
Damn it, that beach deck he’d thought was his sanctuary this morning, it had to belong to Gigi DeWitt.
Bloody hell. Nico’s cynicism had been earned the hard way, through experience. Exchanging one loud choke chain for a more elegant prettier version meant that Nico was still effectively wearing a fucking choke chain in this equation.
The kick under the bench to his shins had him straightening and scowling in Gigi’s direction. Ouch, the woman giving him a hard sunny look before redirecting her attention across thekitchen island to their prospective client. The reason they were here. Mierda, how long had he been sitting there grinding his teeth and trying to untangle himself from the Saint-damned muted niggling pull on his senses? Thankfully, for him, Gaia appeared unaware he’d been checked out, as Gigi did a recap. Presumably for his benefit. Such an annoyingly nice woman.
“So, Gaia. Let me see if I have these details down correctly? For Theo’s first birthday party you’re expecting seven hundred guests. And theme wise, you’re thinking cars.”
“Oh, yes, Theo adores cars and trucks, just like any other normal little boy.”
“Of course.” Gigi agreed, but Nico could sense she was just being polite, following her swift glance out the kitchen window.
Huh, for some reason Nico expected to see a kitchen garden snug up against the house, not a cactus wonderland. There had to be over a hundred different species out there. And some of those spiny thorns would be long enough to skewer a man in half. Funny plants to keep around a soon to be running wild toddler. Nico hoped they had strong high fences up to keep Theo safe.
“Although in five months’ times, who knows, right?” Gaia pushed her long honey blonde plait back over one shoulder as she leaned forward to refill tea cups. “He might be in a dinosaur phase by that time. Um, Aunt Lucy didn’t mention a particular theme, did she?”
Exactly how had Gaia known about their meeting with Lucy? Oh, of course, the speed of light local gossip grapevine. Which probably explained why she sent him a meeting invite at the crack of dawn, and why her party would be attended by a hundred more people than Lucy Valhalla had planned.
Nico had spent very little time in Gaia’s company. Being a new mother and running her relish and chutney business out of her kitchen meant the woman was ultra busy. But even from the fewfamily celebrations she had attended at his Bar, Nico had been aware that Gaia spent all her time talking about her baby and the milestones he’d recently achieved. And when she wasn’t talking about Theo, she was generally trying not so subtly to find out what baby Asher weighed, had eaten for his last meal, or if he had shown any signs of wanting to stand up yet.
“I’m sure Nico and I can put together some catering options for that time of year, with seven hundred guests in mind. We could probably reconvene in about three weeks to discuss everything? Does that suit everyone?”
Nico nodded his head. Three weeks? Unless the dove ring sent him insane before then he could honour that commitment. He made a note of it on one of the bar napkins he’d brought along, aware of a judgemental side glare from Gigi as he did so. Hah, Miss Sunshine didn’t like that, did she. Though why getting under her skin delighted him in some small way he wasn’t sure. “What date did you have in mind for the party?” He flipped to a new napkin, pen poised in readiness. Watching as Gaia’s cheeks filled with colour as she named a date and day.
“Oh, Gaia. No.”
Nico looked between a guilty looking Gaia and a slightly appalled Gigi. He didn’t get what was wrong with that date and time.
“Are you really sure you want to hold Theo’s party the weekendbeforeAsher’s?”
Ah, he got it now. For all her big blue eyes and earth mother vibe, this woman was beyond competitive, at least when it came to her son. Everyone knew that although Asher Valhalla had been born a few minutes after Theo, thanks to the International dateline, Asher was technically recognised as having been born the day before.
Anyone with eyes in their head could tell that fact still burned Gaia.
“Sergei has a lot of family based in Europe. Most work in agriculture and that day doesn’t appear to conflict with any harvesting activities.”
“Oookay.” Gigi sipped her tea, before smiling suddenly. “Actually, that might work. If Aunt Lucy sees something she likes at Theo’s party, that will give her decorators and Nico and I enough time to tweak things for Asher’s party.”
From the suddenly grim set of Gaia’s mouth, Nico was guessing she didn’t like that idea at all. Gigi, still all smiles, pushed her treat laden tray towards her cousin. “You really should try the Raspberry Choc Bomb Truffles, their new.”
Absently Gaia picked up two, feeding one to the bunny first, watching it like a hawk for ten seconds before trying one herself.
Honestly, Nico just felt sorry for the rabbit. We’re they like dogs? Allergic to chocolate? Surely all that refined sugar couldn’t be good for it.
“Hmmm, this is good.” Gaia acknowledged. “Perhaps we put a pin in the date of the party for now. I’d probably better double check timings with the European contingent. Here.” Gaia pushed the tray of treats Nico’s way. “Try one. And don’t forget something for Canary first.” Gaia gave the bunny a pat, turning away to add more boiling water to the teapot.
Nico fought back a sigh, he didn’t get the quirks of the Southern Sanctuary inhabitants sometimes, but usually he found it easier to play along. Grabbing two of the highly recommended raspberry truffles, shoving one into the bunny’s mouth. Huh, was that a trick of the light? The tips of the bunny’s long ears turning a deep red crimson colour for a split second.
“Eeek.”
He glanced over at Gigi, who’d made the strange sound and was eyeing the bunny, horror in her dark purple eyes. Her gaze shifting to Nico abruptly.
“Don’t…”
Don’t, what? He tossed the truffle into his mouth, biting down. Wow, the explosion of raspberry coating his tongue was sublime, especially in play with the dark chocolate coating. He tasted notes of cinnamon and the barest tinge of chili. “That is good. I especially like the touch of chili, keeps it from being too rich.” Gigi was eyeing him as if he might explode. Weird. “What?”
“Um. Nothing.” Her gaze remaining fixed upon him. “Do you feel okay?”
