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I wiped my hands and grabbed the avocado I saw in the fridge. “Can I use this?”

“Sure.” Serena bounced on her stool. “Please tell me it’s snack time.”

I grinned at her over my shoulder. “Absolutely.”

“See.” She leaned deeper into Hudson’s side. “I told you Celia would take great care of us.”

“You make it sound like you had to talk me into hiring Celia.” He looked up at me and rolled his eyes. “We both fell in love with your food when you were at Cromwell Winery.”

Hearing my ex’s surname didn’t fill me with dread like it used to, so my smile was genuine. “I’m glad.”

I toasted a couple of slices of the crusty sourdough I’d brought, mashed the avocado on top, and finished it with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil, and a generous sprinkling of sea salt. Then I slid the plate across the counter to Serena.

“I love avocado toast, thank you.”

She took a bite and hummed in pleasure. Hudson watched her, then looked at me, and his smile was filled with appreciation. “Thanks. Now she should at least have the energy she’ll need to deal with our guests.”

“You mean our friends?” Serena teased.

“And our lawyer,” Hudson grumbled.

“Stop.” Serena lightly swatted his arm. “Julian is a friend, too.”

“Who bills by the hour.”

I winked. “Only because he can’t charge per person or event like I do.”

“Fair point.” Hudson stole a bite of the avocado toast. “I probably shouldn’t be the one to say it, but you could definitely get away with charging more.”

I quirked a brow. “You only say that because you earned twenty million on your last movie.”

“More like forty when you factor in the backend points,” Hudson corrected.

“And now that he’s bragged about that, I’m adding even more to your tip.” She held her palm out and grinned up at her fiancé. “Please give me all your cash.”

He pulled his wallet from his back pocket and tugged out ten one-hundred-dollar bills. “Here you go, baby.”

“Nice.” Her smile widened. “I’ll have to see how often that works.”

Hudson pressed a kiss to her temple. “You know that what’s mine is yours. If you want cash every day, I’ll make sure my wallet stays full.”

“Sweet talker,” Serena whispered.

He kissed her lips this time. “Only with you.”

I took a cast iron skillet off the hook above the island. “You guys are seriously too cute together.”

“That’s what my sister says,” Serena mumbled around the last bite of avocado toast. “Which reminds me. Please tell me that you’re finally ready to be set up. I’m in a matchmaking mood.”

My reply was immediate. “No.”

“Celia,” she wheedled.

“I have absolutely no interest in dating right now. I’ve barely finished furnishing my townhouse, and I need to build up my client list more,” I explained.

Serena’s shoulders slumped. “What a waste. The perfect guy is out there somewhere with no idea what he’s missing.”

“Not everyone is as lucky in love as the two of you.” I pulled out a cutting board and unrolled my knife sleeve. “And I have a dinner to cook so you can wow your guests.”