“It’s not hard to like Lucas’s cooking,” Harper added. “I’m sure whatever you’ve made will be delicious.”
“True,” Frankie said.
Lucas picked up the wine. “Thank you for this. I’ll stick it in the fridge right now. Dinner is going to be three different salads. First, there’s a grilled corn and tomato salad with an avocado cilantro dressing topped with slices of medium-rare skirt steak. Next, there’s a ginger sesame shrimp salad with cold glass noodles. Finally, for the dessert course, there’s a summer fruit salad with a citrus brown sugar glaze.”
“Wow,” Willa whispered. “I can’t believe we get to eat all of that. Can we take pictures of it, too?”
Lucas grinned. “Yes, but I have to ask you don’t post any of them until after these recipes air. I love social media more than most people, but I can’t have you scooping me.”
Willa laughed nervously. “I would never do that. I swear.”
“Listen, once the episodes are up—which will be this week, unless you all hate the salads and I have to rework them—then go for it. Tag me. Call yourself one of my taste-testers. I’m good with any of that. Just hold off on the posting until then. Cool?”
Willa nodded quickly but looked a little disappointed. “Totally cool.”
“However,” Lucas said, his finger in the air. “You’re welcome to do a selfie with me and post that right now.”
Willa’s mouth fell open. “Seriously?”
Frankie grinned. Lucas was the best. “I don’t think he would have offered if he didn’t mean it.”
Lucas waved Willa over. “Come on. Let’s do it right here in my kitchen. In fact, let’s get your mom to take the photo with my phone, then I’ll post it and you can share it. That work for you?”
“Um,yes.” Willa went to stand beside him, practically radiating delight. “My friends are not going to believe this.”
“Picture’s worth a thousand words,” Lucas said, handing his phone to Frankie. “How do we look?”
“Like celebrities,” she said. Lucas was as handsome as ever and Willa was beautiful, her smile and excitement giving her a glow that no cosmetic could ever replicate. “Say summer salads!”
They both laughed and Frankie snapped away as Harper watched. She nodded. “Very nice, both of you.”
“Thanks, Aunt Harper.” Willa leaned in to see the picture as Frankie showed it to them.
“Is that all right?” Frankie asked.
“Works for me,” Willa said.
“Same here.” Lucas took his phone back. “Give me two seconds and I’ll have it posted. I’ll tag you, Willa. What’s your name on Instagram?”
While Lucas and Willa worked on that, Frankie came back to stand by Harper. “How is this suddenly my life?”
“I think the same thing when I’m sitting with Mitch, talking about his writing.” Harper tucked a loose strand of hair behind one ear. “I have to tell you, I’m starting to lose all interest in going back to California.”
Frankie sucked in air. “Are you being serious? Please say you are. Having you close would be amazing. I would love that.” She didn’t want to freak her sister out with her eagerness, but there was nothing she wanted more than having Harper within driving distance. They’d been apart from each other too many years already.
Harper smiled noncommittally and lifted one shoulder. “Don’t get too excited. It’s just a thought. Arlington’s house is a lot to take care of. Selling it makes more sense.”
Before Frankie could respond, Lucas clapped his hands. “All right, I have steak to grill and then we can eat. Why don’t you help yourselves to drinks and join me outside?”
They did just that, each of them getting what they wanted to drink from the galvanized tub he’d set out filled with ice and bottled and canned beverages, including an already open bottle of white wine. They trailed after Lucas to his outdoor kitchen. The steak sizzled on the grill, sending a delicious aroma into the air. Willa was on her phone, no doubt sharing the picture he’d just posted.
Harper found a ball and tossed it for Scout and Archie. Frankie went to stand by Lucas, a glass of white wine in her hand. “Don’t you want something to drink?”
“As soon as I get this steak cooked and set it to rest.”
“Tell me. I’ll get it for you.”
“Same thing you’re having.”
