“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” She eased past the workers, exchanging courtesy waves with them.
The McMansions looked extra chunky in the bright light and shadow of midafternoon. The canals sparkled, the boats gleaming at their docks. Palm trees twinkled as the strong breeze angled their fronds to the sun. And then they were at the Esquivels’ ostentatious pile.
It was funny, Roz thought. They didn’t seem like pretentious people. She was a busy mom trying to have a creative career on the side. He was a dorky collector of baseball memorabilia who liked to fly when he wasn’t building more McMansions. A builder couldn’t live in a cottage, she supposed. This house was a calling card.
They took the long walk around the front to the sheltered entrance.
“That’s some door,” Alden said as the doorbell that evoked cathedral bells pealed inside.
There was movement behind the dark doors’ leaded-glass circle. After a painful few seconds of Roz wondering whether they’d be left on the stoop like an unwanted newspaper, one half opened.
“Roz?” Nicole asked. Her blond hair was up again but falling out of the clip, blobs of something yellow stained her threadbare Green Day T-shirt, and she wore faded blue yoga pants and flip-flops. Kids yelled, and the TV blared in the background.
“Hey, Nicole. I wonder if we could chat for a minute? I texted Sebastian, but he said he was busy. Oh, and this is Alden Knox, another reporter at The Courier-Beacon.”
Nicole took a second to focus, then smiled up at Alden. It was hard not to. He was so darn handsome. But then her eyes flickered, wary.
“Very nice to meet you,” Alden said.
“Listen, this isn’t a great time,” Nicole said. “Mateo got home half an hour ago, and the kids got into my secret candy stash, and their heads are about to pop off.”
Alden exchanged a quick look with Roz. “I could entertain them while Roz talks with you for a minute, if that’s all right.”
Roz and Nicole both stared at him.
Nicole brightened. “OK, great!”
Roz wished she didn’t have to talk to Nicole, because she would really like to see Alden entertaining the three hellions. Though maybe it wasn’t fair to call the little one a hellion yet. Imp in training? She shot him an Are you sure? look, and he just smiled back.
OK. We’re doing this.
Nicole led them left through the house toward the open kitchen with its modern glass pendant lights and a bank of oversize stainless-steel appliances. A wide, curving granite counter that doubled as an eating area marked the boundary between the kitchen and a spacious living space with a big television (showing Bluey) and comfy furniture. It seemed the whole space was a play area, with colorful toys scattered everywhere.
“I’ll make coffee. Do you like coffee?” Nicole asked.
“If it’s not too much trouble,” Roz said.
“Is the Keurig all right? It’s easy.” As opposed to the huge chrome coffee contraption sitting by the stove. “What do you drink?”
“Oh, anything. Bean Me Up spoils me with mochas, but I’m good with whatever you have.” Roz didn’t need more coffee, but being friendly never hurt. And, really, she did always need more coffee.
“I have a chocolate-flavored coffee,” Nicole said, looking through a bin of various tiny cuplets.
“Sounds great.”
“I’m fine,” Alden said. “Do you want to introduce me to the kids?”
“Sure.” Nicole got the machine started, then called for the children’s attention. “Kids, this is Alden. Why don’t you show him a game while Ms. Roz and I talk?”
“Alden can be the horse!” Gabriela screamed.
“I’m the knight!” Mateo hollered. “He’s a bad horse!”
Roz had to bite her lip so she wouldn’t laugh.
Diego ignored them all and sucked on a giant Lego block while watching Bluey from a pillow on the floor.
Alden grinned at Roz, then walked over to the area in front of the TV.
