“Yes, I know. We’ve met.”
Nick enjoyed Rebecca’s confused frown.
“How did you two meet?” she asked.
“We met in New York. At Kat’s museum exhibit,” Kitty said. The smile on her face and in her voice told Nick she was enjoying this as well.
“Good to see you again, Rebecca. Jim.” Nick nodded and extended his hand to Kat’s dad.
“I don’t understand,” Rebecca said. “You were all in New York City at the same time and place?”
“Honey,” Jim said. “Nick is a friend of Kat’s. Small world, right?”
Nick nearly laughed. Jim had obviously missed all the tension.
Rebecca gave a brittle smile and patted her hair. “And now you’re going to Hollywood? How exciting.”
“Well, not Hollywood, but New York.” He didn’t mind letting her wonder if he’d be seeing Kat again.
“And just you wait.” Kitty practically bounced in her shoes. “Kat’s paintings will be in one of those cream-of-the-crop New York galleries in no time.”
“Absolutely. Kat is a gifted artist.” He looked specifically at Rebecca. “You must be very proud of her.”
Rebecca had the grace to blush. “I…we….” She put a hand to her chest. “Yes. Yes, of course.”
Nana turned sharp eyes on him.
His tone may have been a little curt. But he wasn’t backing down. “I’d love to hear you tell her that.”
“Excuseme?” The woman’s eyes narrowed, and her face darkened.
At the same time, Nana’s eyes widened, and a smile lit her face. “So would I, my dear. It’s long overdue.”
Rebecca’s mouth dropped open. “What is that supposed to mean?” She turned to her husband.
Expecting him to defend her?
Jim put an arm around her shoulders “Let me refresh your drink, dear.”
“I know.” Kitty clapped her hands together. “Let’s video call her right now and give her the news. She’ll be delighted with the sale of her painting.”
That sounded awkward. Nick moved sideways, intending to take his leave.
Kitty placed her hand on his arm, halting his progress. “Nick, wouldn’t you like to say hello?”
For a moment his thoughts stuttered. Was Kitty up to something? She knew all was not well between him and Kat or he’d have been part of their weekend in the city. “I think I’ll–”
“Kitty, for heaven’s sake,” Rebecca broke in. “It’s eleven-thirty in New York. We’re not calling Katherine.” She gave Nick a cool glare.
And he took the hint. “Again, congratulations on the big night for Kat. Nice to see you all.”
He turned and didn’t much care if he’d burned any bridges with Rebecca Andrews.
* * *
As Kat removed her first cup of tea from the microwave Sunday morning, her phone pealed into the quiet apartment. She glanced at the screen then became instantly alert. She opened the video call. “Nana?”
“Kat, darling. I hope I didn’t wake you, but I couldn’t wait any longer.”
