“I love it so much I think I’ll keep it up year-round.” Our eyes met for what felt like a moment too long, and he looked away, turning to Nina. “You’re a big thrifter, right?”
Nina blinked. “That would be correct.”
“My parents sent me a box of some of their old clothes from thesixties and seventies. They want me to try to sell them, see if they’re worth anything. I was wondering if you would lend me your expert knowledge and take a look?”
“Uh, sure.” Her eyes darted to me as she followed Alex to what I assumed was his room. I sat on the couch and watched as Greyson taught Mia and Kitty one of the dance routines fromHigh School Musical. Whenever Greyson paused the music, I could hear the tone of Alex and Nina’s conversation through the open door. Nina said something, and Alex laughed, and I tried to ignore the flicker of disappointment beneath my ribs. Not disappointment for me, of course. I was sorry for Alex. For all his good qualities, there’d be no hope for him with Nina, not when Ollie was still coming around.
As if I’d summoned him, a voice outside mumbled curses and there was a knock on the door.
“You made it!” I said when I opened the door and found Ollie. I hadn’t seen him since his last day, and though Alex was a good replacement (maybe too good), I missed my foulmouthed Irishman. Lurching forward, I wrapped him into a tight hug.
“I wouldn’t miss your party,” Ollie said.
“It’s not a party.”
Ollie followed me into the living room and took the seat beside me on the couch, waving to the girls, who greeted him back before immediately ducking their heads together to gossip.
Ollie scanned the condo. “She’s in there.” I pointed down the hall to Alex’s bedroom, where Alex and Nina’s laughter floated through the door. Ollie raised his eyebrows, bristling beside me.
Maybe inviting Ollie wasn’t such a great idea after all. I cleared my throat. “How’s Il Gabbiano?”
Ollie rubbed his chin. “It’s... different. Grand. A lot more cooks in the kitchen, though.”
Alex and Nina left the bedroom and sat at the dining room table.Alex called us over, and Nina’s expression soured as soon as she spotted Ollie.
“So that’s the new fella,” Ollie said as we stood from the couch. “He’s pretty.”
“Don’t be jealous,” I said, though maybe I was talking to myself too.
“What’s Nina wearing? She’s touched, isn’t she?”
“That’s why we love her.”
After I introduced him to Alex, Ollie turned his attention to Nina. “Hey, Neen. You look good.”
Nina ignored him and turned to me. “What is he doing here, Josephine?”
“Are Mia and Kitty calling me?” I cupped a hand around my ear and backed out of the dining room. Nina might act mad about Ollie being here, but I knew she’d thank me for it eventually.
Back in the living room, I pulled out my phone to take photos for the blog. This was definitely the strangest way I’d checked off an item, and I wondered what my readers would think of it. Weird? Funny? Both? I snapped photos of the decorations and the girls with cardboard Zac.
“You’re up next.” I looked behind me, and there was Alex with his hand outstretched.
“All right, all right.” I handed him my phone and stood beside cardboard Zac.
“At least look like he’s your celebrity crush,” Alex said.
I put my arm around cardboard Zac’s shoulders. “Chris Evans is my celebrity crush.”
Alex shook his head. “Typical.” He held up the phone. “On three say,Damn, Chef Alex, you’re a yachtie hottie.”
I turned to cardboard Zac. “Did he just use the phrase ‘yachtie hottie’?”
“Don’t fight it, Jo. I’m going to earn the nickname Hot Yacht Chef, even if I have to dress as a sexy George Washington again for the Fourth of July charter.”
“Dress up as a sexy George Washingtonagain? What kind of yachts have you been sailing on, Chef Alex?”
Alex grinned from behind my phone. “Never mind that, Florida Girl. One, two...” Predictably he took the photo on two, as I was still laughing.
