“I love that you care so much.”
“She’s important to you,” Carmine replied. “I want to make a good impression.”
Ashley was getting ready in the spare room. It had given Carmine a few minutes to get himself together. The wine had been a welcome offering.
“How come you have booze in the house?” Carmine asked.
“Ashley’s influence.”
Carmine took a sip.
“I like her already.”
Before Noah replied, the bedroom door opened. A short, beautiful woman came through. Her smile lit up her face. Instantly Carmine relaxed.
He stood and wiped his sweaty palm on his chinos.
“Ashley,” Noah said. “I’d like you to meet Carmine.”
She crossed the room and took Carmine’s hand.
“So lovely to meet you,” she said warmly. “I’m not going to pretend that I haven’t heard a lot about you.”
Carmine nodded. “And vice versa.”
Ashley glanced at Noah. “Have you been telling tales?”
“Only good ones.”
He handed her a drink.
“Here’s to new friends,” Ashley said.
“And old ones,” Carmine added.
Noah raised his sparkling water.
“To us.”
They all clinked glasses. Carmine noticed Ashley took a sizeable gulp. Maybe he wasn’t the only nervous person in the room.
Noah went to the kitchen where he was chopping vegetables. This left Carmine and Ashley to sit.
“How was your day?” Carmine asked.
“Very exciting,” Ashley replied. “We went to the site. I must say, it looks like you’ve worked wonders. Noah showed me the plans.”
Carmine felt himself blush. “It was a pleasure. After years in LA where everything has to be as big as possible, it was a joy to create something realistic and ecologically minded.”
“That’s our Noah.”
She stared across to the kitchen. The love that shone from her eyes gave Carmine goosebumps. He hoped she saw the same in his when he looked at Noah.
“I can’t wait to be cooking for you two up there,” Noah said.
“What’s for dinner?” Carmine asked.
“Peri-peri chicken and roasted veggies.”
