Page 52 of The Christmas Blueprint

“Oops.” She laughed. “It’s called a Buddha board. You paint with water so it’s temporary. I’ll do it again so you can see, but you’ll have to look fast.”

Harlow turned away and examined the felted elves, she and Sophia conferring. Mr. Shi had risen up, not spilling any of his wine, and he too looked at the craftsmanship of the elves. Sophia was so talented and yet she gave away her art as Christmas package decorations.

And all Jeffrey Bane could think about was money.

And if I focus on what’s best for my career, I’ll disappoint everyone I love.

No. Not love. Cared about. He didn’t love Sophia. He couldn’t.

Zhang handed Sophia a glass of wine, and she sipped it, sighing in pleasure, clinking her glass with Harlow’s sparkling water.

They all looked like a picture of a happy family and friends. Belonging. And he was on the outside, watching, wanting, but not really sure how to join in or if he belonged or wanted to.

“Earth to Killian.” Riley was right there in his face. “Time to eat.”

*

Killian was surequiet tonight. Distracted. Aloof. Sophia dipped her corn bread in the bowl of chili that Riley had made and tried to make eye contact with him.

Had something happened at the mayor’s office? She knew he wouldn’t like her plan, that approval wouldn’t be easy, and she felt nervous.

Or was Killian’s distance more personal—he felt overwhelmed with all the changes in his life—new job, back in his hometown, taking care of Harlow? Had their almost kiss this morning bothered him?

She needed to control herself. So much rode on this project, and this was her busiest time of year. She couldn’t afford the head space to worry what was going on with Killian, and she didn’t want to offend him. Still, disappointment burned. He still saw her as Enrique’s.

“Did you get a chance to think about creating potential movable spaces in the Mill Market today before or after your meeting with the mayor?” Sophia jumped into one of the silences.

Killian, in the process of taking a bite, shoved the spoon in his mouth.

Okay, that answered that question. He was avoiding her.

“You met with Bane?” Riley asked, her nose wrinkling. “I’m sure he’s full of plans for what youshouldbe doing for him and his empire.”

She broke off a piece of cornbread, slathered it in butter and took a healthy bite. “What master plan did the evil, rich genius have? I thought you weren’t even starting on your job until after the first of the year.” Riley cast a concerned glance at Harlow, who watched them all, her expression curious.

Killian swallowed. Took another sip of wine and reached for another square of cornbread.

“The chili is delicious. It tastes just like Mom’s.”

Sophia could feel the stillness between the two siblings. Zhang covered one of Riley’s hands, and she looked at him gratefully. He dropped a kiss on her forehead.

“Does it?” she asked after gulping in a breath. “Vanessa found one of mom’s collections of family recipes when she and Dad were packing up their house to move. She thought I might like it. I’ve been making one recipe a week. Zhang and Mr. Shi are my taste testers, along with Sophia sometimes.”

Sophia bit her inner lip to stop the well of emotion. Usually, it would have been she and Riley together choosing which recipe to make first and then cooking the meal and inviting friends over. But now that she had Zhang, they were beginning to drift just a little. It was normal. Healthy. When she’d been together with Enrique, he’d been cool about Riley joining them for many of their activities, but still, they’d seen less of each other in the evenings. She’d been conscious of giving Riley and Zhang space to grow together like she and Enrique had had.

“That’s great, Riley.”

“I’m going to try her fried chicken next,” she said, looking a little shy. “Think I need a sous chef on that one.”

“Applying for the job,” Zhang said.

“I’ll be the official taster,” both Killian and Sophia spoke at the same time.

“Jinx,” Harlow said.

“You are starting to freak me out,” Riley grumbled at them. “But don’t think that gets you off the hook. What did Bane say to you? You’re a million miles away tonight, and usually you’re only about a hundred.”

“So funny. Not. Just tired,” Killian said, but Sophia felt it was more, and by Riley’s squint, she did too.

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