“Lunch is weady!” Noel called out as she came to a skidding halt between me and Emma.
“Oh,” Emma stated in a sexier-than-hell breathy voice. “I’m starving.”
Her eyes met mine and I raised my brows. I knew what I was doing. Playing with fire. But fuck if it wasn’t fun to watch her eyes darken with desire. And right on cue, the wall slammed down. Her eyes turned distant, and she stood ramrod straight. She was back to librarian Emma.
“For food. Just food. Only food. That’s the only thing I’m interested in.”
I couldn’t help but laugh as I held up my hands. “Then let’s get some food in you.”
We spent the rest of the day at the kitchen table going over ideas for the dinner. I wasn’t one to put my daughter in front of the TV, but when Mom put a Disney movie on and Noel was instantly engrossed, she joined us in the planning.
I was stunned by how much we had gotten done. The table layout, with my mom’s help, was arranged a bit differently. Mom offered to talk to one of her friends who owned a flower shop about donating the flowers in exchange for advertisement. I called a good friend of mine who owned an Italian restaurant right on the outskirts of town and asked him if he knew anyone who could cater the dinner at a reduced cost. He laughed and emailed me a menu he had come up with right on the spot. The theme was Christmas in Italy, which Mom had suggested, and Emma had been on board with. I wasn’t sure if it was because her belly was full of lasagna and homemade tiramisu, or if Anthony’s menu won her over. I’d place a bet it was the latter.
Mom offered to clean up the kitchen while Emma and I talked about entertainment. She was sitting back in her chair taking a sip of tea when she suddenly looked at me.
“Christmas in Italy set during the 1940s. People can dress in vintage formal wear.”
“Oh, I love that idea!” Mom said as she rejoined us at the table. “It’s different, and I think people will love the change.”
Emma grinned from ear to ear. “Would we have to adjust the menu?”
Mom and I both shook our head as I said, “Not at all. I think Mom’s right and setting it in the 1940s would make it stand out from the plethora of other dinners that time of year that will be held in Boston.”
“I do too!” Emma agreed. Her eyes were lit with excitement. “What if we called it ‘A Wish from Christmas Past’.”
Mom clapped. “Emma, you missed your calling, darling!”
I laughed as Emma said, “Then it’s settled.”
Mom cleared her throat and said, “I’ve arranged for the two of you to look at the ballroom this evening at eight.”
Emma and I turned and looked at my mother.
“What?” we both said at the same time.
“I think it’s important to be in the room and get a feel for things. Then you can decide on decorations. My suggestion would be less is best. Let the elegance of the ballroom and the tables do most of the work. Simple white lights make the Christmas season more romantic, in my opinion.”
“Mom, I can’t go at eight. Noel is in bed by then.”
She waved off my concern. “I’ll watch her. Since we ate lunch so long ago, you should stop and grab some dinner.”
I raised a brow and gave my mother a knowing look. I knew what she was up to.
Matchmaking.
Emma looked between me and my mother, then back to me. “We can go look at the ballroom another time. I should really be going and let you get back to enjoying the rest of your Saturday with Noel.”
My brain told me she was right and that I should bid her goodbye and show her the door. It was a damn shame, though, that my brain lost the battle with the rest of my body.
“I think Mom’s right. We should swing by and check out the ballroom. Are you even hungry?”
Emma chewed on her lower lip. “I guess I could eat something small.”
Smiling, I said, “I know just the place. It’s not far from the hotel.”
With a return smile, Emma nodded. “Okay, well, should we walk or grab an Uber?”
I glanced outside to see snow lightly falling before I focused my attention back on her. “I’ll leave that up to you.
