Page 69 of Your Two Lips
Finn stole a chaste kiss. “You look sensational,” he whispered. “Have a seat. Something to drink? Beer, wine, seltzer?”
“Wine would be great.”
“You got it.” He headed toward the back door carrying the pies.
Lucas turned, wearing an apron. It was the one with the statue of David, so it looked like he was naked.
“Good to see you again,” he said.
“Thanks, you too. Nice apron.” He gave me his version of the dimples and went back to the grill.
“Emily! Welcome.” Finn’s mom, Donna, joined us on the deck a few minutes later.
“Your pies look delicious.”
“Thank you. I was a little intimidated after hearing about your baking, but pies are my specialty.”
“And smoothies.” Lucas, of course.
“Well, I wanted to bring my A-game. Smoothies, though delicious, didn’t quite send the right message.”
Donna smacked Lucas’s firm shoulder. “We love sweets in this house, and pies are tricky for me. We’re all excited to taste them.” Lucas glanced at his mom; his brow furrowed.
Finn returned with an open bottle of red wine, followed by his sister, Tess. I had seen Tess and Donna several times at the farmers’ market. They were both beautiful, but Tess could be a model. She was striking.
“I picked this up for you yesterday.” Tess handed me a jar of blueberry juice from Bow Hill Farm. “It makes great probiotic drinks. I’ll grab my recipe for you before you leave.” Bow Hill had some of the best berries, and their products often sold out at the market before I got myself out of bed lately. Particularly if I had spent Friday evening in Finn’s arms.
“Thank you! What do I owe you?”
“How about a bottle of that lavender lotion from the spa?”
“Deal.” We fist-bumped on it. “I’ll leave it here for the next time you’re home.”
Donna heaved a long-suffering sigh. “The summer has flown by. Tess leaves for school tomorrow, and then it’s Labor Day. I know Mrs. Curtis was sad to see you go on your last day. I’ll have to stop over for a visit now that the season is slowing down a bit.”
“Tess works summers at the Anna Island Resort across the channel from your house,” Finn said.
“There’s a resort there?” I asked.
“There is. More like a fishing resort. It’s on the other side of the island from the ferry dock,” Tess said.
The steaks were piled onto a big platter in the center of the table while Donna moved in and out of the kitchen carrying bowls of spinach salad, Yukon gold potato salad, and a wooden board with a loaf of fresh bread. I was closest, so I stood to help her set everything down. No one wanted to lose a single bite. Well, except Rex, who probably wanted all of it to end up on the ground, but a testament to his excellent manners, he didn’t trip any of us.
“Donna, did you bake the bread?” I asked.
“Tess did,” she replied, nodding at her daughter with pride.
Tess shrugged. “I’ve worked in a lot of bakeries and restaurants during school. I learned a few things.”
We all heaped generous helpings onto plates. Iced tea and wine made the rounds. Relaxed conversation was constant while Finn touched my thigh every chance he got.
Donna set the tone, and her family followed. She was loud and bold and loved with abandon. If I let myself, I could fall in love with her too. Finn said his grandmother was Italian and a skilled cook. Donna had learned from her, and Tess was learning now, too. A tradition passed from one generation to another. Suddenly my heart ached.
“Emily, tell us about yourself. Finn’s told us a few things, mostly about your biking.” She winked at Finn.
“I grew up in Seattle. My family had a summer home here for years when I was younger.”
“Did your parents retire here, then? Is that what brings you?”
