Alicia, though... she was unusually withdrawn most of the afternoon. When we headed into the kitchen to grab dessert, I asked if everything was okay, but she insisted she was fine.
So I chalked it up to sisterly jealousy. It’s the first time Ethan has ever brought a girl home, after all.
I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and drink almost the whole thing in one go. When I turn around, Dalila is standing in the doorway to the backyard, looking unsure of herself.
“Hi, Dalila. Do you need anything?” I ask, giving her an encouraging smile.
She steps into the kitchen and offers a small smile of her own. “That color looks beautiful on you Mrs—on you, Cecily.”
I can’t help the small smile as I remember how mortified she’d been on Saturday when she called me Mrs. Montgomery, and how I told her it was all right, that it’s Sterling now, but she could just call me Cecily.
“Thank you,” I say.
“I was hoping to get some water... if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not.” I hand her a few bottles so she can take some out for everyone. “Have you all had lunch yet?”
She shakes her head.
“I’ll put something together and bring it out to you. Just check with your friends to make sure no one has any allergies, okay?”
Dalila’s smile brightens, and she heads back outside.
I’m shrugging off my blazer and tying on an apron when the kitchen door opens again. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Alicia duck in.
“You’re back early, Mom.”
“Change of plans, honey.”
She nods. “They asked me to tell you no one has allergies. But Brittany doesn’t like anything with olives or mustard.”
“Got it,” I murmur, pulling out the baguettes I baked yesterday. I gather a few ingredients and sauces from the fridge and start assembling sandwiches.
“Mom?” Alicia says carefully.
I glance at her. “Hm?”
“This friend you’re going to work with. Alexander.”
My hand stops mid-spread, a swipe of mayonnaise suspended on the knife.
“Yes,” I say, keeping my tone light, encouraging her to go on.
“Is he your friend like... you and Uncle Mark? Or like Ethan and Dalila?”
I finish the sandwich and set it on the platter. “Ethan and Dalila are dating now, honey.”
Alicia huffs and drops onto the stool across from me. “You know what I mean, Mom.”
I give her a smile.
“No, sweetheart. It’s not like me and Uncle Mark. Mark is like a brother to me, a brother life gave me.”
Without wanting it or meaning to, my mind flashes back to less than two hours ago.
My back to the glass. His hand on my face. Alexander’s eyes dropping to my mouth... before dragging back up to meet mine.
I swallow hard, pushing the image away, keeping my voice even. “And no... it’s not like Ethan and Dalila either.”
