Abby poured a generous amount into a glass and took a large swallow before adding more, then she emptied the bottle into her mother’s glass.

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell us you were dating. And she’s attractive to boot.”

Abby smiled at that. Yes, Nic was cute, she couldn’t deny that. More importantly, she was turning out to be really nice. It seemed she’d hit the jackpot with her fake girlfriend.

They heard a chorus of nervous laughter from the other room, and they jerked their heads around. Then their eyes met. Her mother arched an eyebrow.

“What do you think that laughing was about?”

“I can’t imagine.”

When they went back out with their two wineglasses, they found Aaron and Nic holding beer bottles. Her father had opened a bottle of red wine for Holly, and he was holding a tumbler in his hands. He paused to shake the ice cubes a bit before drinking. A whiskey, she guessed. Here it was, barely four in the afternoon and they all held drinks. What did that say about her family? Were they all as stressed as she was?

“So, Nicole, how did you and our Abigail meet?”

Abby knew that would be her mother’s first question, and despite her inclination to intervene, she let Nic answer it as she may.

“At her office, actually. Well, out in the courtyard.” Nic glanced toward her with a smile. “At first, she wouldn’t give me the time of day. I had dirty knees.”

It was Holly who asked the question.

“Why on earth did you have dirty knees?”

“Hazards of the job,” Nic said easily. “I do landscaping. I’m on my hands and knees a lot.”

“What kind of landscaping?” her mother asked.

“We do both commercial and residential. It’s my uncle’s company. I’ve been working for him since I was a teenager. I call myself a landscape artist.”

One of Holly’s perfectly plucked eyebrows arched into her hair. “So you…plant stuff? Or do you mow lawns and such?”

Abby nearly choked at the question, but Nic merely smiled.

“Yes. Both. All over the Metroplex. Are you in need?”

“No, no. Aaron has a yard service. We are going to be building a home soon. A custom home. Perhaps we could talk to our builder about using your little company.” Holly slid her glance over to Abby before looking back at Nic. “So you met in the courtyard?”

“Yes. I asked her out three or four times before she said yes.” Nic smiled at her adoringly. “It was the best day of my life.”

Abby found herself returning the smile, and she moved closer, tucking her hand beneath Nic’s arm. “Best decision I made too,” she said, playing along.