She patted his hand under the table. “Okay.”
“What were you two whispering about?” Evangeline asked.
“Work,” Nydia replied.
Evangeline’s lashes fluttered, and she appeared as if she was going to cry. “Talk about work, I truly miss flying.”
Cameron stared at his sister. “Don’t start, Evie. You know you promised Daniel you would give up your career as a flight attendant once you had your kids.”
“A woman shouldn’t have to give up her career just because she’s married with children,” Nydia said matter-of-factly. As if rehearsed in advance, Jasmine and Evangeline rose slightly and gave Nydia high-fives.
“Preach, my sister,” Jasmine said, ignoring the scowl on her husband’s face.
Nydia realized she’d made a serious faux pas mentioning mothers working outside the home when she saw Cameron’s thunderous expression. She knew he was conflicted because Jasmine intended to assist Hannah managing the inn once it opened for business,andafter she returned from an extended maternity leave. Jasmine confided to Nydia that LeAnn and Paige DuPont, Hannah’s first cousins, had volunteered to help out until Jasmine’s six months’ leave ended. An uncomfortable silence settled over the banquette that even the children noticed.
“Mom, we’re finished eating,” Taylor announced. “Can we leave now?”
Evangeline smiled. “Of course, darling.”
Lamar signaled for the check, but Cameron had removed his credit card from a small leather case and handed it to their server. “Hold up, Lamar. It’s my turn to pay for brunch.”
Nydia wondered how often the Pierces and Singletons got together for Sunday brunch. The girls had ordered chicken and waffles, Lamar and Cameron steak and eggs, and Jasmine a grilled skirt steak with creamed spinach, mashed potatoes, and crispy onion straws, and Evangeline ordered a Cobb salad.
After settling the bill, Cameron assisted Jasmine, who’d admitted eating too much, with standing. Nydia knew not only had she eaten too much, but she also should not have had the second mimosa before she was feeling the effects of the champagne. The bubbly wine always left her feeling slightly lightheaded and very sleepy.
“Are you all right, partner?” Lamar said in her ear as he helped her to her feet.
“I’ll let you know once I start to walk. Champagne usually does a number on me.” She’d only taken a few sips at Jasmine and Cameron’s wedding before setting aside the flute.
Lamar cradled her elbow. “Don’t worry; I’ll catch you before you fall.”
Nydia rolled her eyes at him. She was just a little tipsy, not falling-down drunk. She had never been much of a drinker, and once she took her first drink at twenty-one she knew instinctively that she had a two-drink limit. The first and last time she’d known what it was to be hung over was after Hannah and St. John’s wedding, and that was something she never wanted to experience again. After her first glass of the premium bubbly wine she discovered it tasted nothing like the ones she’d had before. She hadn’t felt tipsy and continued to indulge until she lost count of the number of glasses she’d drunk, and paid for overindulging the next day when she woke up with a dry mouth and a pounding headache.
She didn’t protest when Lamar took her hand and escorted her out of the restaurant to the parking lot. He didn’t release her fingers until they stood at the rear of his vehicle. He slid his foot under the back of the Volvo, and the lift gate opened automatically. He handed Kendra a Vera Bradley quilted floral-print tote and then kissed her hair.
“I’ll see you Tuesday night, sweetie.”
“Bye, Daddy.” Kendra took the tote and raced over to where Evangeline had parked her SUV.
“I’ll take Nydia back to the hotel,” he said to Jasmine as she slipped on a pair of sunglasses.
“Are you sure? I have plenty of room in my swagger wagon. Cameron came in his sports car, and now that I’m pregnant I find it so low he has to help me in and out of it.”
Lamar nodded. “I’m very sure and promise to bring her back safe and sound.”
Jasmine leaned in and kissed Nydia. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Cameron and I have decided to stay in tonight.”
Nydia pressed her cheek to Jasmine’s. “Get some rest,mija.” The interior decorator now sported a slight baby bump. She waited for Cameron to help Jasmine into her minivan before he slipped behind the wheel of the two-seater Porsche and followed Jasmine’s vehicle, and then she turned to find Lamar staring at her.
“What’s on this afternoon’s agenda?”
Lamar angled his head. “It all depends on what you want to do.”
Nydia glanced down at Lamar’s loafers. The soft leather looked very comfortable. “Would you mind if we go on a walking tour? When I came down last summer it was too hot to stay outdoors for any length of time without coming down with heatstroke.”
He took her arm and led her around to the passenger side. “We’ll walkandtalk.”
Chapter 14
