Come Away With Me(110)

Luke flips his pancakes and turns to me.

“Why?”

I

finish

stemming

the

strawberries and move on to the peaches.

“I have a meeting that I need to be there for in person. I should only be gone one night.”

“Oh, okay.” I frown. This will be the first night we’ve spent apart since our magical night at the vineyard.

“Come with me,” he suggests.

“I can’t. I’m still catching up with clients from our vacation. I’m booked solid next week.” I toss a pit in the garbage and grab another peach.

“It’s just one night.” He murmurs and I realize he’s standing behind me. I’m suddenly feeling vulnerable, and I don’t know why. It’s just one night! Surely I can get through one night without him.

I turn and smile brightly, not wanting him to see my insecurity. “It’ll be fine.

What day are you leaving?”

“Early morning Wednesday. I’ll be home Thursday around noon.”

“That’s a long meeting.” I raise my eyebrows.

“I’m going to pack a few meetings in there, since I’ll be there anyway. Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

“Of course. I love you, but I think I can survive without you for one night.

Jules and I’ll have a girl’s night.”

“Okay.” He kisses my nose and returns to his pancakes and slips some bacon into the oven.

“What are we going to do about all the flowers outside?” I ask, changing the subject.

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t you want to eat out on the deck?”

“No, we’ll eat in here. We can bring them in if you like.”

I walk over to the glass door and gaze out at my beautiful flowers, trying to shake my melancholy mood now that I know Luke will be leaving overnight next week.

“They’re beautiful. I don’t know where we’ll put them all.”

“Leave them for now, and we’ll figure it out later.”

“Okay.” I set the large dining room table for six, pour orange juice and coffee into carafes and set them on the table as the doorbell rings.

“I’ll get it.” Luke flashes me a smile and I relax a bit, excited to see his parents and give them their gifts.

“Hello, darling.” Lucy kisses Luke’s cheek and comes into the great room.

Neil and Mark follow with Samantha bringing up the rear.

They’ve obviously spent a lot of time in Luke’s home. They’re comfortable moving around the space, and I stand back for a moment, enjoying the view of Luke with his family.

My family now.

“Everyone, I’d like to introduce you to my beautiful fiancé, Natalie.” I laugh as Luke joins me and kisses my hand.

“Yes,” I say dryly, “We’ve met.”

“Oh, Natalie, I’m so excited that you’re going to be a part of our family.”

Lucy hugs me tight and I blink back the sudden tears that threaten.

“Thank you.”

“And here I thought you’d choose the right brother.” Mark shakes his head ruefully and pretends to pout.

“I did.” I laugh at his stricken face and give him a quick hug. “Don’t pout.

We’ll find you a good girl.”

Mark laughs and heads for the kitchen to steal a piece of bacon. “No need.

I’m good.”

“Stay away from that bacon!” Luke bellows.

Neil hugs me and cups my face in his hands, his kind eyes happy. “Are you happy, sweet girl?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Good.”

Luke’s parents are both so generous and welcoming. Samantha, however, rolls her eyes and pours herself a cup of coffee.

“So,” her eyes gleam with malice and she glances at Luke, then back at me and I brace myself for what’s about to come out of her snarky mouth.

“Who was that delicious looking man you were with the other day in the coffee shop?”





Chapter Thirty


I frown, then the blood leaves my face and I turn to Luke. His eyebrows are raised almost to his hairline. The room stills.

“I met with a client to give him some work he purchased.” My eyes don’t leave Luke’s but his face changes, and gone is my carefree, happy man. He knows exactly who I’m talking about and he’s pissed.