Page 61 of All We Need

I avoidMartin’sgaze, but it proves difficult whenI’mseated next to him at the table.Fortunatelyfor me, he’s deep in conversation withGeorge.

To my left is a new face and one of the cautious greeters. “Hi,I’mHarriet,Johanna’ssister.”

“Ah.”Itake her outstretched hand. “Niceto meet you.Alessandra.”

Nodding slowly, she releases me. “Iknow who you are.”

Okayyy.

“Not a fan, then?”Myquestion catches her off guard, and the attention of half a dozen sets of eyes around the room.

“I’m impartial.”Shetakes a sip of water before relaxing into her chair. “Onone hand, you saved my family’s business, so some would argueIshould be eternally grateful.”

“And on the other?”

“I think you went about it the wrong way.Plus, you clearly have it out forBooth.”

“You don’t hold back, do you?Noteven sixty seconds in my seat.”Isling an arm over the back of my chair to face her fully.Somethingabout my tone or posture has her shedding a little animosity.She’sblunt, butIcan tell from the way she’s fiddling with her napkin it’s not natural.

“Shit,I’mso?—”

She clamps her mouth shut whenIclink my glass with hers. “Don’tapologize.Standby your words.”

Everyone decides a catfight isn’t going to break out and returns to their conversations.

Ignoring the strange tension,Iask, “YouandBoothtalk a lot?”

“You could say that.Notabout you, though.Don’tlet it get to your head.”MaybeBoothput her up to this.Likeher sister, she says what’s on her mind, andIcan’t fault her for it, but this act seems forced.

“No ego will ever be bigger than his.”Inod toward the man on the opposite end of the table, who averts his intent gaze in a panic.

Harriet tries to hide her amusement. “Oh, believe me,Iknow.Whenhe visited me during the summer,Ithought it would be too big to fit into my apartment.”

Who knows why, but my grin slips and a weight drops in my stomach. “Doeshe stay with you a lot?”

“No.Mysister lived with me untilFebruary, soIdidn’t have the space.We’vealways kept in touch since high school.It’sbeen nice to reconnect more this past year.”Shefinishes with a smile aimed at the other end of the room.Idon’t need to follow her gaze to know who is likely smiling back, dimples popping.

“You’re close then?”Shutup,Aly.

“Yeah, he’s a great guy.I’mlucky to have him.”Someoneshouts her name and our conversation ends.

With my spine flush to the chair,Itake a large gulp of water and push down the brainless green-eyed monster trying to make an appearance.

BeforeIoverthink it, the food is served, and we dig in.Ifeel out of place at first, butI’mmade to feel welcome.Witheach bite of the mouthwatering food, with each joke, my tension fades.

Once the table is cleared,Idab at my mouth with my napkin when a low voice murmurs, “I’msorry to hear you couldn’t visit your family.”

I’d almost forgottenMartinsat beside me.Almost.He’swearing a dark gray dress shirt with a tie, and slacks.They’realittle tired looking—like him—but something pulls in my chest at the effort he’s put in.

With a steady gaze, and hopefully steadier voice,Isay, “Iappreciate that.Can’timagineI’mthe only one stranded in town.”Mynext question is pushing it and my conscience screams at me. “Ihope the storm didn’t ruin plans with your family?”

His gaze drops, a forlorn expression pinching his lips. “No.It’smostly quiet.Clairehas been kind enough to invite me the last couple of years.”

My throat clogs with emotion.Somany, it’s a struggle to swallow. “I—uh…Nofamily at all?”

His reaction is unreadable, and before he respondsClairegrabs everyone’s attention.

With all eyes on her, no one notices the way mine stray toBoothas he towers above her.Hishand hovers behind her, ready to keep her steady if she wobbles on her broken leg.Awarm, happy air surrounds them both as she thanks him for making dinner and for their guests.

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