Page 41 of Even Exchange

“Oh my goodness.” I gasp, rushing over to a Smeg Stand Mixer illustrated with the most beautiful floral pattern I’ve ever seen. “You have the Dolce & Gabbana 50’s Retro Mixer!” Upon hearing the words leave my mouth, I realize I’m totally geeking out, but I don’t even care. “It’s even more stunning in person.”

Luna laughs. “My husband got it for me for Christmas. When Smeg came out with the Sicily is My Love collection, he knew it would remind me of my family.”

I run my fingers along the intricate colorful pattern. “It’s beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she says proudly.

“You’re originally from Sicily?” I ask.

“Yes,” she says, retrieving a stick of butter from the fridge. “I moved here in college.”

“Is that the NFL’s next top rookie quarterback gracing us mere mortals with his presence?” a loud, deep voice says as a man rounds the corner of the hallway.

Noah’s smile grows wide as he walks toward the man, who I assume must be his stepdad. “Hey.”

The man throws his arms around Noah and hugs him tightly. After releasing him, he wanders toward me and extends his hand. “Tony.”

“Charlie.” I return the gesture with a smile. “Nice to meet you.”

“Can’t believe you talked Noah into going camping,” Luna says. “We haven’t gotten him to go in years.”

My eyes flick toward Noah, who’s looking at her apologetically. “I’ve been busy.”

Luna holds up a hand. “I’m not saying anything. Just glad you’re finally going again.”

“Hope you remember how to put up a tent,” Tony teases, lightening the mood.

“I think I can manage,” Noah grumbles, and I fight a smile. It’s nice hearing people talk to Noah like a normal person and not the five-year-plan, perfect-at-everything man he is on campus.

“Well, just in case,” Tony tells him. “I’ll give you a refresher while we load the stuff in the truck.”

He and Noah exit the kitchen, leaving me alone with Luna.Shit.I’m not prepared for this.She begins another batch of dough, and I wring my hands together, fingers itching to join in.

“Want to crack the eggs?” she asks, and a smile spreads across my face. I wash my hands, rushing to join her at her workstation.This is good. Baking is good.

We fall into comfortable silence, aside from her directions for pouring in the needed ingredients. Although they’re hardly necessary. I could whip up a batch of cookies of any variety with my eyes closed.

“Noah mentioned this will be your first time camping?” she asks.

“Yes,” I say. “My parents weren’t really the camping kind… maybe theglampingkind.”

Even though I was raised middle class, my mom came from old money. The thought of sleeping in a tent in the middle of the woods repulsed her. She said as much when I called for permission to take the kids, but given her busy campaign schedule and lack of help this week, she was more than happy for the offer.

“We went all the time when Tony and I were first dating,” she says.

“How long have you been together now?”

Luna smiles. “About seven years. Married for three.”

“He and Noah seem close.”

She scoops dough out of the mixing bowl and rolls it into a ball before placing it on the lined baking tray. “Tony was there for us a lot in the wake of my ex-husband.” Her admission surprises me, given Noah’s avoidance on the subject.

“Noah doesn’t really talk about him,” I say, rolling dough myself, stomach tightening. “His dad, I mean.”

“It’s a sore spot,” Luna says, and I nod. “Are you missing cheer since season ended?”

“Yes,” I say, noting her change of subject. “I’m looking forward to starting training again next month.”

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