Cooper looks like he wants to throw me out the window.
“Oh god,” she rears back, a hand to her chest. What color were they?”
I wince theatrically. “Blonde.”
Natalia looks confused, looking around. “Do you mean like a beige?”
Cooper’s thigh meets mine. “Something like that,” I snicker.
“Well, it’s good to know that now instead of later, when everything is moved in, and there’s no going back, right?” his sister asks.
“Absolutely.”
“Good. Well, I have some news too.”
Cooper holds up a finger. “Let me guess. You finally found a boyfriend you’ll only have for two days before dumping again?”
Natalia scowls at him, picking up a pretzel. She chucks it at his face, hitting him right between the eyes.
“No, actually. But thank you for that. I’m actually finally opening the bakery!”
The smile automatically lights up my face. “I’m so happy for you! You’ve always talked about doing that, I had no idea that you still wanted to!”
I don’t know a lot of things about either of the two people here, I remind myself.
I’ve missed so much time.
“Yes! It’s been a long time coming, with helping out with Grandpa and—” her eyes shoot to Cooper. “Everything after. You know? Lots of things happen after that. And then there was approval from the town, and loans, and ugh. It just took forever! But I’m so thrilled.”
There’s no one who deserves it more. “I’ll have to come visit soon.” And I mean it. “I’m due for a visit to the beach anyway.”
She looks at me softly. “I know. Whenever I leave it, I always feel like I’m leaving a little piece of my soul. I feel so healed whenever I get back home. How long has it been?”
Oh god. “Years,” I say with a nod. Too long. If I could go back right this second, I would. Which is funny, because I’ve never felt that strongly about it.
I also don’t spend so much of my time, under normal circumstances, thinking about my childhood.
It’s only when Cooper’s around that the nostalgia for the good days hits.
“You should definitely come and see the place. Actually, I wanted to ask. I heard you have a catering company and do some event planning, is that right?”
“I, well, yeah,” I start, scratching my knee. When I get nervous, it always feels like something is digging its way under my skin. “One of my best friends is an artist around here, and she does these big events. My catering company doesn’t do much event planning exactly, but I do help Isla with event planning.”
“Oh, I don’t want to overstep then,” Natalia says, retreating.
I shake my head. “No, you’re a special case. What do you need help with?”
She considers this for a second, eyeing me to gauge if I’m lying or not. “I have my grand opening coming up in a few months, and I was wondering if you could maybe help me plan it. Sure, I can definitely bake and run a business just fine, but planning a whole event and exactly what I’m going to need, what I need to decorate, and all that, well, I could use some help with.”
“Of course I’ll help!” I exclaim with a wide smile. “It would be the perfect excuse to get back to town and see everyone. Besides, I love planning. It’ll be fun!”
She returns my smile, her teeth bright as she brushes her blonde hair back out of her face.
“I’m so glad! Do you want to set up a meeting in a few weeks, then? We can do it over the phone.”
I agree, and we start to chat about our careers when Fluffernutter makes his way out into the family room, jumping on the couch.
Cooper tenses, watching him from the corner of his eye.
