“We’re at three. With my brothers and parents,” Erin said.
“Five,” Macy said, winking at Nicole. “Don’t you worry, I took charge of the whole situation. I wouldn’t leave you alone. We single women have to stick together.”
Nicole smiled, finally understanding why Macy had been so quick to embrace a friendship with her. It wasn’t just that Macy was warm and generous—she was—but there was
more to the dynamic going on. The changes in Erin’s life meant she and Macy didn’t do as many things together anymore. Which meant Macy needed Nicole’s friendship as much as Nicole needed Macy’s. The knowledge eased a painful knot she’d had in her chest since walking in here feeling out of place.
“So, Nicole, what will you be doing here in town?” Erin asked.
“I’m looking into opening a specialty bakery, but not right away. I want to start small and see how things catch on,” Nicole explained.
“Tell her the rest.” Macy nudged her with her arm.
She’d had time to fill Macy in about her talk with Trisha the other morning.
“Well, I’ve spoken to Trisha at the coffee shop, and she said she would be interested in taking in my items and selling them, and Macy said she’d approach her father about doing the same at the restaurant.”
“What kind of specialty items?” Erin asked.
“Cupcakes, cookies, pastries . . .”
“Aunt Lulu bakes pies and cakes, not pastries, so I think it would be fine,” Macy immediately chimed in.
Erin narrowed her gaze. “Are you sure about that?”
Nicole blinked. “Is there a problem?”
Macy shook her head. “Nope. I think Aunt Lulu and Nicole will complement each other perfectly.”
“Well, I love the idea! Where would you work? I hear you’re living over Joe’s, and that kitchen is tiny.”
That was the issue Nicole had run up against, at least in her head, and maybe subconsciously that was the reason she hadn’t filled up the place with food and baking necessities.
“I’m not sure . . . yet. I’m working on it.” She tapped the side of her head. She was thinking it through, but so far she hadn’t come up with any ideas.
“You’ll figure something out.” Macy’s gaze drifted to a point beyond them, and her eyes widened. “Listen, I need to go check in with my aunt. She’s looking a little lost, and when Aunt Lulu is at loose ends, trouble happens. I’ll see you at the table,” she said to Nicole, then waved at Erin and walked away.
Erin shook her head and laughed. “They’re both characters, Macy and her aunt.” She glanced over Nicole’s shoulder, her eyes opening wide. “Sam!” She waved at her brother, indicating he should join them.
Nicole’s stomach immediately spun like she was on a roller coaster. Not in a panicked, get me off this ride kind of way, but in a this is awesome, I could stay on here for another loop kind of way. She couldn’t recall a time when she’d felt so excited about a man. Affected by hearing his name, psyched to see him, flushed, silly and girly.This was why she’d broken off her engagement, because if she and Tyler didn’t share this in the beginning, what would be left when the newness wore off?
She pivoted to greet the man who starred in not just her dreams but her fantasies too, only to see he wasn’t alone. She blinked but the fact remained, there was a woman by his side. A pretty blonde, her arm hooked through Sam’s. Nicole had to admit, with their light hair and good looks, they made a striking couple, and more than a few heads turned as they made their way across the room.
Nicole’s stomach, along with her hopes, plummeted at the sight, and she now knew what Sam had been about to tell her the other day. She drew her shoulders back, determined to get through this with grace and class. Her disappointment could come later, when she was alone.
Erin hugged her brother. “You two know each other, right?” Erin asked, oblivious to the undercurrent between them.
“Of course. It’s good to see you again.” Swallowing over her unreasonable hurt and disappointment, Nicole managed a politeness she didn’t feel.
Sam’s gaze remained steady on hers, but she didn’t let herself make eye contact.
“Sam, aren’t you going to introduce me?” his date asked.
Nicole forced a smile and waited for the inevitable.
Sam physically felt Nicole’s discomfort, and he wished she would at least look up and see him, understand he wasn’t happy about this situation either.
“Margie, you know my sister, Erin, and this is Nicole Farnsworth. She’s new in town. Nicole, this is Margie Stinson. Her parents are big donors for tonight’s event,” he said, hoping she’d have to look at him now.