Page 24 of Rules of Engagement
"Yes," Amelia said. "So we will feed you while you ask us questions."
Eliza seemed to take a moment to come to terms with the dinner plans and finally shrugged.
"Okay, thank you. Um, medium to medium well," Eliza said.
He nodded and grabbed the platter to head out the door. Piper hopped down from her seat and followed him with her bottle of water. While he opened the door for Piper, he caught Eliza's gaze on him and felt a surge of pleasure. Maybe he was egotistical, but he could tell she liked what she saw, even if she pretended otherwise.
By the pool, he opened the grill he'd started before going inside and got to work, his thoughts on the plans being made. He'd never had a big to-do like the one Amelia and Lincoln were planning, and it made him wonder what Eliza's dream wedding would be like. Big and fancy? Small and intimate?
Doing what she did, it made sense that she'd want something like no one else. She was unique, after all, and having planned so many weddings and made so many brides happy over the years, she'd no doubt given a lot of thought to her own and deserved to have something fancy for herself.
A bit later, Carter sent Piper in to tell the adults the steaks were about ready and rolled the corncobs one more time. He couldn't wait to see how Eliza ate hers. Delicate little nibbles? Cut it off and eat with a fork? Dig in and chomp down?
The door opened onto the screened-in patio, and everyone emerged carrying something. Plates, glasses, drinks, utensils.
Eliza carried one of her three-ring binder books, and when he joined them, he realized it had Lincoln’s and Amelia's names on it. "Had to bring it with you, huh?"
"Every minute counts," she said.
They settled in around the teakwood table on the screened porch. Carter walked around the group, delivering their custom cooked meat.
"These look fabulous," Amelia said. "And the corn? Yum."
"Dig in," he said, using the fork to place Eliza's on the plate in front of her. "Medium with a shade of well."
"Thank you."
Once everyone was served, he loaded his own plate and took the spot opposite Eliza, noting she deftly cut her steak but didn't so much as look at the corn.
"I love fresh veggies," Amelia said. "Though you're not helping me keep things low-carb with this."
"You don't need to worry about that," Lincoln said.
"Agreed," Carter added. "Men don't want to cuddle stick figures."
Eliza avoided eye contact and kept chewing.
"Oh, Carter, while you were grilling, we decided on colors," Amelia said. "Mostly white and sand, with hints of gold and blue. I'm thinking a tulle gown for Piper. Blue to match her beautiful eyes."
"Will it have a poofy skirt?" Piper asked, butter running off her chin.
"You can have the poofiest skirt available," Amelia said.
"And be the most beautiful flower girl there ever was," he said to his daughter.
Carter felt the moment Eliza's gaze landed on him, but when he shifted his attention to her, she averted her gaze once more.
She still hadn't touched her corn. Surely she wasn't one of those women who didn't like to get a little messy? What about ribs? Seafood?
Sex?
"Izzy and I are going shopping tomorrow to look for a wedding dress," Amelia said, referring to her best friend. "You're welcome to join us, Eliza."
"Can I come?" Piper asked.
"You'll be in school, kiddo," Carter said. "But you'd better believe Amelia will pick out something pretty for you, too."
"Definitely," Amelia said.
