“Foooood,” she said, wiggling her brows as she followed me into my apartment. My mom’s expensive perfume still lingered in the air, and a part of me was afraid she’d pop back in and say my name.
I grabbed the bag of burritos and the clover plant. “Okay, let’s go.”
“What’s that?” Nora asked, already walking closer to me with her gaze locked on the pot. It was about ten inches wide and nothing wild, but she tilted her head like it was something fancy. “Are those clovers?”
“It’s a good-luck-tomorrow gift,” I said to her, focusing on the way she sucked part of her bottom lip into her mouth. “Even though you don’t need luck, I wanted to get you something.”
“Fritz,” she said, closing her eyes and taking the plant and food, setting them on the counter. She cupped my face and stared at me in silence for a full thirty seconds. “Whoever you thought about giving that ring to didn’t deserve you. You are the sweetest man.”
She pressed her soft lips to mine, the sensation sending a shiver through my body. It was new to think about Samantha andnotrecoil or immediately get angry. It was like Nora took that memory and changed my mind. I smiled against her mouth, letting go of all the worry and stress my mom brought with her.Tomorrow.All that would be fixed tomorrow.
“This isn’t too sexy or too distracting, right?” I teased, making her laugh and shove me away. I pulled her back and kissed her again and again. Her cherry lips were my favorite flavor, and her floral scent my favorite smell. “Are you thinking about metearingyou apart?”
She flicked my nose and picked up her plant and the bag and walked right out of my place without a word. I laughed. “Very distracting view.”
“You are the worst.”
Her tone didn’t match her wide smile, and I locked up, followed her into her place, and swore to myself that by this time tomorrow, she’d know everything.
And then, I could tell her I loved her.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The landscapingoutside the foundation building could use a little work. We hired out for it, but it seemed whoever was supposed to come hadn’t in weeks. There were weeds everywhere, and I bent down and picked a few right near the front door. My mom would be pissed. Appearance was important to her. Always had been. It was how first impressions were made and part of the reason Gilly and I were vain. We knew it, accepted it, and acknowledged it.
“Anthony, what are you doing?” My mom’s voice pierced the momentary peace.
I took the day off work to stop here to not only encourage Nora, but also to check in. They retained me as their lawyer when needed, but it wasn’t enough to warrant more than two monthly visits. Why not do both at the same time?
“Wondering why the landscaping is horrible.”
“Hm. It is.” I could almost hear her purse her lips and lift her nose in the air with disappointment. I pushed myself up and adjusted my tie. She eyed me from head to toe and smiled. “You look handsome even with that animal on your face.”
“Beard. I like it.” I scratched it, eyeing the door just in case Nora burst out of there. Unlikely, but I couldn’t risk it. She was already so nervous. She woke me up at four am to practice, one last time.
I could almost rehearse the presentation myself at this point. It was good. Damn good. I sensed her inquisition, and I diverted. “Have you talked to Gilly yet?”
She sighed and dropped her gaze to the weeds. “We’re going to grab dinner tonight.”
“Good. I’m glad. You two need to talk this out, but Mom, don’t guilt her. This is about her and Christopher, who is the best dude for her. If you want to make up with her, get to know him.”
She nodded, and her gaze softened. “The thing I’m most proud of in my entire life is how close you and your sister are. There aren’t words to express how much I love that you two get along and are there for each other.”
“We fight, but yeah, she’s my best friend.” I made a mental note to call Gilly after the dinner with our mom to check in, but to also tell her that I told Nora the truth. I hated knowing I’d disappointed my sister and Grace. It was a horrible feeling, but nothing compared to the how upset Nora could be. I had to get through that, and that meant telling my mom an abbreviated truth.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“Is this about my goddaughter?” she fired right back, all the softness gone. “Because I’m not sure what I saw, but I have questions.”
“She knows me as Fritz. It’s a long story, but can younotcall me Anthony inside?”
Her brows nearly touched her hairline, and she gave me themomlook. Even though she and my dad weren’t around a lot growing up, thatlookwas still ingrained in my mind. “Fine. But I want every detail.”
I nodded and relaxed, content that she wouldn’t blow it for me. I opened the front door and ushered her in first, and I followed. The glass walls showed a bunch of people at work, and Nora stood at the front of a conference room in a bright-red shirt and black skirt. She seemed way too tidy, but she looked professional. Good. Perfect. I tapped on the glass, and she glanced up from her papers and grinned.
She pushed the door open, and I went in, smiling at her andalmostkissing her. I wasn’t ready for the gossip and questions until I told her the truth. So I settled on putting my hands in my pocket. “All ready to go?”
“What are you doing here?”
