Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)

Sam glanced toward the door and thought longingly of Mexico.

Conversation continued for another half hour or so. Sam lost track of the number of martinis Taryn poured for him. Finally his friends said they had to leave. Kenny and Jack both said they’d be walking and coming back for their cars in the morning, which meant Taryn had to call Angel for a ride.

“Don’t forget, I want to talk to you about that new technique,” Lark told her.

“I can’t wait,” Taryn said.

Lark looked around the room. “Anyone else want in on the discussion?”

Jack and Kenny glanced at each other, as if not sure what to do. Taryn was already following Lark and Reggie. For Sam, it was a no-brainer. He headed for the front door and didn’t once look back.

* * *

“I LOVE IT,” Dellina said, feeling some of her stress fade away. Whatever else was happening, she could count on her sisters to be there for her. It was, she thought, one of the advantages of family. Knowing that she didn’t have to deal with any single crisis alone.

Ana Raquel preened as she tore off a small piece of bacon and fed it to Caramel. The tiny dog took it delicately, woofed down the piece, then spun as if to say not only was it delicious, she would very much like some more, please.

Fayrene made a couple more notes, then tasted the last mocktail. “I agree. These drinks are perfect,” she told her twin. “With all the different ingredients, the kids can make different flavors and figure out what they like.”

“Using different juices is genius,” Dellina told Ana Raquel.

“I’m glad you think so. I’m going to use what’s left over to flavor the sorbet for the next night so the children can tell their parents how they squeezed juice or used the juicer to extract liquid.”

She reached for a hot dog puff and bit off two thirds of it, then handed the rest to Caramel.

“She can eat all this, right?” she asked.

Fayrene patted the Pomeranian. “She seems to like everything in the people food department and her stomach is rock solid.” She scooped Caramel up onto her lap where the dog did a graceful roll and settled so her tummy was exposed for rubbing.

“I love the sorbets, I love the mocktails and the appetizers are both kid-friendly and delicious,” Dellina said, happy to check so many things off her list.

They’d already gone over the items that would be part of the pasta bar. Dessert was going to be a make-it-yourself sundae. Messy but fun. Heidi had delivered her menu for Sunday; the kids’ band and theater troupe was confirmed. She scanned her list for the children’s program twice more, then tossed the sheets into the air.

“I am officially ready for at least half this weekend and it’s only Tuesday.”

“You’re more than half-ready,” Fayrene told her. “I’ve seen your other list. You got most of the goodie bag deliveries today. The rest come tomorrow. Which means you’re nearly there.”

Dellina hoped she was right. “I have dinner tonight at Henri’s for the final refinement on the menu and then that’s it except for the details.”

“A dinner?” Ana Raquel asked. “Not a tasting.”

They were all seated on the floor of her living room with food and drinks spread out on the coffee table. Overnight boxes spilled out of her office into the hallway. Her dining room table was filled with empty goodie bags and her head was swimming with details. It took a second for her sister’s question to sink in.

“It was supposed to be a tasting, but then it grew. Sam is coming with me, as are his parents.”

“Meeting the parents,” Fayrene teased. “You’re rushing things.”

“It’s work and you know it.”

“Sam is pretty good-looking,” Ana Raquel told her. “I mean, he’s no Greg, but still, he is a nice-looking man. You could do worse.”

Dellina laughed. “I’m sure he would be desperately flattered by that assessment.” She scrambled to her feet. “Thanks for all your help.”

Fayrene picked up Caramel, then stood. “She’s throwing us out.”

“I got that.”

Ana Raquel rose and then hugged Dellina. “You’ll do great. Call me if you need anything. Otherwise, I’ll be up at the hotel at noon on Friday prepping.”

Fayrene hugged Dellina, too. “What she said. You’re prepared.”

Caramel offered a quick kiss on the nose.