“See ya.”
Do not look at his butt.
Do not look at his butt.
She looked at his butt.And it was unbelievable.
Claire groaned aloud.
This was too hard.How long was she supposed to pretend Nick didn’t fascinate her?He already commanded all her attention.Now he had some sort of intriguing backstory.Why did he feel he needed to keep a low profile?
“You have no business wondering.Get back to work.”
Claire returned to her newsletter, but thoughts of Nick distracted her for the rest of the afternoon.
* * * *
“It’s just a small tuna casserole.”Mia thrust the ten-pound Corningware dish into Claire’s hands at the front door.“Just stuff I had sitting in the pantry.”
“You know you don’t have to keep feeding me,” said Claire.“It’s been three years.You’re the only one who still brings me casseroles on a regular basis.”
Mia patted her cheek.“It’s how I show my love for my sister.Besides, you work hard.This way you won’t have to think about dinner.”
Claire shifted the Corningware dish in her arms.“I won’t have to think about dinner for the next five months.”
“Whatever,” said Mia.She called into the kitchen.“Paging Dr.Sanchez!You here?”
Adele poked her head through the kitchen entrance.“Of course I’m here.The only times I’ve ever missed cocktail nights were when I had emergency house calls.”
Claire and Mia joined her in the kitchen, and Claire slid the casserole into the fridge.She pretended to be exhausted, leaning on the counter.“I won’t be able to hold my glass after hefting that thing.”
Mia dismissed her act with a wave of her hand.She glanced over Adele’s shoulder as she prepared the cocktails.“Need help?”
“You know the rules,” said Adele.“I make the cocktails.Unfortunately, I can’t trust either of you to make a good Dark and Stormy.Claire puts in too much ginger beer, and you never use the right spiced rum.”
“I thought you were a vet, not a mixologist,” said Mia.
“My expertise is astounding.”Adele swirled some lime juice into the golden cocktail and handed them each a glass.She held hers up in a toast.“Let’s see.To theHandymencrew, for helping our Claire!”
“To theHandymen,” Mia echoed.
When Claire was slower to toast, Adele gave her a look.“Did I say something wrong?I thought you said the renovation was going well.”
“Oh, it is,” said Mia.“Claire’s just shy because she has a crush on Handyman Nick.”
Adele gasped and ushered them all into the living room so they could sit.“Oh my God, tell me everything.”
Claire set her cocktail down on a side table and plunked into a chair.“Mia’s speaking out of turn.I don’t have a crush on anyone.”
Mia’s eyebrow shot up.“Oh, please.Girl, I’ve seen you getting all red in the face around Nick.Your face always gives it away.Even as a kid, you couldn’t hide it.Any time I asked you to cover for my mischief, Mom and Dad always knew the truth because you couldn’t stop blushing.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t have gotten into so much mischief,” retorted Claire.
“Anyway,” said Mia, “I’ve seen you in the throes of love before, and I know the signs.”
Adele hummed.“As your veterinarian, I think I’m going to have to pay a little unscheduled visit to the sanctuary.I need to meet this Nick.”
“You’ll meet him tomorrow at the party,” said Claire.“You’re still coming, right?”
