“I know. I want to. Maybe I’ll let you return the favor sometime.”

She laughed. “Yes, you will. Thank you, then. Everything was great.”

He drove her home and walked her to her door.

“Thanks again, Marco. It was a fun night.”

He smiled and for a moment, those eyes locked into hers and he leaned toward her and she caught her breath, worried and at the same time eager for the kiss that might come. But he didn’t kiss her. He pulled her in for a hug.

“See you tomorrow, Andrea. Sleep tight.”

Chapter 31

“It’s not a date!” Paula insisted.

Lucy laughed. “Have you ever heard the expression ‘If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck…”

“It’s really not like that.”

“Really? What is it like, then?”

There was already a good crowd for Lucy’s art show. It was Saturday night, a little after seven. Paula had arrived about ten minutes ago. And David was with her. Though not at the moment. He was off chatting with Nick and Bella by the cheese and crackers table.

“We all went for drinks after work yesterday. We were just chatting about what we were up to for the rest of the weekend. And I mentioned your art show. And Nick said he was going, so David said that sounded like fun and could he tag along? So here we are. Not a date.”

“Mm-hm. And did you all ride together, then?”

“No, David drove. Nick and Bella met us here.”

Lucy smiled. “Interesting. Yet Nick lives next door to you, and you could have all driven together.”

“I mentioned it to Nick, but he said wanted to take his own car as he wasn’t sure what he and Bella wanted to do after. They might walk around downtown or get a bite to eat or just get take-out and go home.”

“Okay, I guess that makes sense. Those two have been inseparable. I worry a little about him when she leaves. It won’t be much longer.”

Paula agreed. “I know. He said something to me about going out there to visit.”

“To Hollywood? That’s interesting.”

“Oh, honey, look at this. This would look perfect in the baby’s room.” A woman admiring one of Lucy’s pieces called her husband over to see the turquoise rocking chair with hand-painted pink roses all over it.

“We’ll be back,” Paula said and left so Lucy could talk to her potential customers.

“Champagne?” A server strolled by holding a tray of flutes filled with the bubbly beverage.

“Yes, thank you.” Paula took a glass and a sip as she joined the others.

“Your sister is so talented,” Bella said.

Lucy had a crowd of people around her now, asking questions.

“She really is,” Paula agreed.

“Does it run in the family? Do you paint, too?” Bella asked.