Page 6 of One Night

“What are you talking about, Ellie? You and your dad love my lasagna.”

“No, we don’t. Dad says it smells like cow poop.”

I bite back a grin. Did I say that out loud? “Ellie, that’s enough.”

Britney turns toward me, her brows narrowed harshly. “Do you not like my lasagna, Colty?”

“It’s good. Thank you for making it for us. Ellie, apologize to Britney, please.”

“But Dad, you said it—”

“Ellie, apologize.”

Ellie’s big brown eyes roll sideways. “Sorry, Britney.”

“That’s okay, Ellie. Why don’t you tell me what your favorite meal is, and I’ll make that for you next time.”

“Actually,” I interrupt, “we appreciate your help, but that’s what Nora is here for. I’d like her to cook our meals and take care of things around the house.”

“Yeah, I’m not sure why you needed to pay someone. I—” Her phone rings, and she glances down at the screen, reading over the text while trying to finish her thought. “Shoot, that’s my sister. Becca fell at dance class and she’s asking to go home. No damage, but she’s begging for me. I should go.” She stands from the table, scrapes her plate of food into the trash, and turns back toward me. “I can bring her back here if you want to sit out on the porch tonight and have a few drinks.”

We’ve never sat on the porch for drinks, so I don’t know what this is about. “No, thank you. Like I said, I’m pretty tired. Keep us in the loop about Becca, though. I hope everything is okay.”

She leans down for a hug which I didn’t request, and I move back in time to avoid an incoming kiss on the cheek. She’s never done that before either, but I see now what she’s doing. “I’ll call you. Great to meet you, Nora. Good night, Ellie.”

Ellie is too busy talking to Nora to say goodbye, so I say it for her. “Thank you again. Have a good night.”

Britney nods and heads out the door, slamming the screen shut behind her.

“Can we order pizza?” Ellie pushes away her plate. “I know you said this tastes bad, Dad. I heard you say it.” I’m going to have to be more careful about what I say in front of Ellie. She’s getting older now.

“Yes, we can order pizza.” I grab my phone out of my back pocket and glance toward Nora as I place the text order. “What do you like?”

“What? Britney made this nice meal. We should eat it.”

“She tries,” I sigh, “but it’s pretty awful. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Nora hesitates on her answer, pushing back a strand of hair before saying, “I like anything but onions.”

“Okay, all set. Ellie, why don’t you go get your shower started. By the time it’s done, dinner will be here.” I expect her to fight me back given the whole drain situation we’ve been dealing with.

“Okay!” She bounces up from the table and runs up the stairs. “Nora sprinkled unicorn dust in the shower so I’m not afraid of the drain anymore. Unicorn dust scares monsters away from drains.”

“Damn,” I stand from the dining room table and grab two beers from the fridge, popping the caps before handing one to Nora, “you’ve solved something I’ve been working on for months, and you’ve only been here a few hours. Care to sit out on the porch with me?”

“Are you sure? It’s been a long day. I don’t want to—”

“I’m positive. I need some adult conversation.”

Nodding, she stands from the table, taking the beer from my hand, our fingertips grazing one another. A shot of electricity I haven’t felt in ages goes rushing up the back of my neck and down again.

“Sorry about Britney.” I hold the screen door open and pass by the first rocker to settle in the second. “She’s a lot.”

The crickets are loud tonight, and the air is heavy like it’s about to rain.

“Oh, yeah… it’s no big deal. She seems nice.”

I have a feeling Nora would be polite to anyone.

---