“Like I would miss my own birthday party?”
Carson helps her out of the vehicle and Aunt Melissa brings her walker. I hug her. “How are you?”
“My name wasn’t in today’s obituaries, so I’m doing great.”
My eyes meet with Carson’s in a little pop of amusement and I laugh.
“Hello, handsome.” Nonna pauses to beam at Carson. “It’s so good to see you. Help me into this place.”
I purse my lips in merriment as Carson escorts her into the pavilion. I follow with Aunt Melissa while Uncle Vince goes to park the car.
Of course Nonna is mobbed by everyone and I have to take control of the room by announcing that there’s a buffet lunch and everyone should find a seat. I make sure Nonna has herplace at the table reserved for her, her three surviving children, and their spouses. Carson and I sit nearby with my parents and sisters but before I take my seat, I fill a plate with food for Nonna.
“Thank you,dolcezza.” She pats my hand. “Go have your lunch. We’ll talk more later.”
I eat my lunch to the barbed comments of Elisa and Bria directed at Carson, and my parents trying to act like everything is normal and being way too animated and effusive toward Carson. I try to distract Elisa by asking questions about her job as a software engineer at a big investment company, and I quiz Bria for news about her graduate studies at the University of Chicago. Then Dad starts talking hockey and he and Carson relax a little.
When I’ve finished, Grandpa and I get back up to the microphone. I’ve prepared a few things for Grandpa to say, welcoming the family and giving a quick outline of what to expect for the next few days.
Grandpa accompanies me back to the table and Carson rises to shake his hand. “Uncle Ernie. Good to see you.”
“Interesting to see you, too,” Grandpa says. He looks at me and shakes his head. I know he doesn’t approve of this plan. Does anyone, actually? Besides me? I’m not sure ifIeven approve of it; it was Rachel’s idea. But I did execute it. So far, so good.
As we mingle and talk to family, Carson sticks close to my side, sometimes holding my hand, staring at me lovingly, smiling at me.
It pisses me off.
When he pats my butt, I freeze. “Stop it!” I hiss at him.
“I’m just a husband admiring his wife’s ass.”
“Argh.” I glare at him. “We don’t have to go this far.”
“Why not?” He so close, I can see every eyelash around his eyes and the sparks of gold in his irises. “You don’t like it?”
“No!”
That’s a lie.
I like it too much.
He shakes his head.
“Just keep your hands to yourself!”
As I say the words, my cousin Clark appears beside us.
His eyebrows shoot up and he darts his eyes between us. “Uh… trouble in paradise?”
Shit.
Heat floods my veins and runs into my face. No doubt I’m as red as a goal light.
“Nope.” Carson sets his hands on my waist and pulls me close. “Just a little difference of opinion. Right, sweetheart?”
I look up at him, trying not to scowl. I drag a smile up from my toes. “Right.”
And once more, he kisses me. That kiss yesterday in front of Norm was startling. This one is disturbing. His mouth on mine is familiar… but seductive. My eyes fall closed, my mouth opens to him, and I want to cling to him and kiss him again… and again.
