“Do you play any instruments?” I ask Nic.
She nods and chews on some salad. “I’m classically trained in piano.”
I lower my fork to my plate and stare at her in surprise. “Seriously.”
“Yeah.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal. “My aunt was a concert pianist, and she taught me and my sister.”
“Cool.” Sam grins. “I play, too.”
“I always feel so musically stupid when I’m around them,” Will mutters with a laugh.
“I bet we can’t throw a football sixty yards,” Nic replies.
“And I can’t bake cupcakes to save my life,” Meg adds. “I can cook all day, but ask me to bake, and I’ll end up poisoning everyone.”
“What can Matt do?” Sam asks with a tilt to the head.
“He can…” Nic begins, but I clamp my hand over her mouth and laugh.
“I can arrest you for harassment,” I reply drily.
Nic’s eyes are smiling above my hand.
“Yeah, you scare me, Montgomery.” Sam’s voice is dry as she eats her meal.
“Have you heard from Caleb and Bryn?” Meg asks.
“I got an e-mail from him,” Will responds. “But it was about a week ago. He said they’re having fun.”
“They head back on Friday,” I reply. “I got an e-mail the same day you did. Sounds like Dom’s place is nice.”
“I’d love to take Meg there sometime,” Will replies and grins at his fiancée.
“You won that silent auction for a trip to Italy, remember?” Meg reminds him.
“That’s right.” He nods.
“You could swing by and check out Dom’s place while you’re there,” I suggest.
“Good idea.” Meg grins and takes a sip of her wine. “So, what else has been going on?”
“Luke is throwing a birthday party for Natalie at their place next Saturday,” Sam announces.
“At the new house?” I ask.
Sam nods. “Yeah, it’s beautiful.”
“It’s not far from here.” Meg grins. “So I can love on those babies any time I want.”
“When is Natalie due?” Nic asks.
“Not until this fall,” Sam responds. “Her belly is so cute. Nat is beautiful pregnant.”
“Nat is just always beautiful,” Meg adds.
“So is it going to be a pool party?” Will asks. “We can set up the pool volleyball.”
“Yep, pool party,” Sam confirms. “The parents are keeping all the kids, so it’ll just be the siblings.”
“Can you get Saturday off from the shop?” I murmur down at Nic.
“Oh, you have to come!” Meg agrees.
Nic blushes and bites her lip. “I think I can get coverage for the day.”
“Excellent.” I kiss her cheek and glance up to find Will staring at me with raised eyebrows.
“Would you be willing to bring some cupcakes?” Sam asks excitedly.
“Sure.” Nic shrugs. “I’ve been thinking about coming up with some new flavors, too. Maybe I can do something brand new, just for her.”
“That would be awesome,” Meg exclaims. “She’s a photographer. Can you decorate them fun and stuff?”
“Absolutely.” Nic nods enthusiastically. “I already have some ideas.”
“Great, I’ll let Luke know that we have the cake covered.” Sam pulls her phone out of her bra and quickly taps out a text message.
“You don’t have to do that,” I assure Nic, frowning at Meg and Sam. “I want you to take the day off and enjoy yourself. You don’t have to work.”
“Oh! No, really,” Meg agrees. “I don’t want you to work either. I just know that they’ll be delicious.”
“It’s fine,” Nic assures Meg and looks up at me. “I don’t mind at all. It’s fun.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” She nods happily and squeezes my knee again.
“Good, because I’ve already confirmed with Luke.” Sam smiles innocently.
“Okay, now I want cupcakes.” Will stands and walks into the kitchen to grab the box full of Nic’s cakes and returns to the table.
“Mmm…” Sam sighs as she bites into a strawberry cupcake. “Seriously so good. Can I have a bite of your carrot?” she asks Leo.
“Can I have a bite of yours?” Leo asks.
“Fuck no.”
“Then, no, I’m not sharing either.” He laughs and takes a big bite of the cake. Everyone but Nic is enjoying her efforts.
“You’re not having one?” Meg asks before I can.
Nic shakes her head and smiles. “Nah, not tonight.”
“You’re missing out.” Leo grins and winks at Nic. “They’re delicious.”
“Dear God, woman,” Will moans and reaches for a third. “Run away with me.”
“You say that to all the girls.” Nic laughs. “But I’m glad you like them.”
“You caught a good one.” Will winks at me. “She can stay.”
I smile and nod at my brother.
Fuck yes, she can stay.
***
“Talk,” Will commands as we sit at the bar of his playroom. He has a full wet bar with tall stools.
Sam and Nic are chatting animatedly on a nearby couch. Meg and Leo have their heads together across the room, Meg with her guitar and Leo with a notebook and pencil, talking music.
“Since when do you have a piano?” I ask, pointing to the upright in the corner near where Meg and Leo are working.
“Leo plays, and he and Meg use it when they’re writing,” Will replies with a smile. “It makes her happy.”
I smirk, but can’t help but envy my brother just a little. He found a woman who loves him deeply. Meg doesn’t give a shit about his celebrity. Hell, she almost loves him despite it, and that’s something that we all worried about when it came to Will finding a woman. With his celebrity status, finding a true-hearted woman could have been a challenge.
But Meg fits him. She doesn’t take his shit and supports him wholly. She also continues to pursue her own nursing career, even though she certainly could quit her job and be a housewife.
Just mentioning the idea to Meg might get you stabbed in the face.
And that just makes me love her more.
“Hey, Nic, can you come here, please?” Leo asks.
My eyes narrow as he crooks his finger at Nic, and she grins and walks over to join the rocker and Meg.