Page 143 of Kiss Me Like You Mean It

Nico has no defence against Cynthie’s pleading gaze. It’s literally Oscar worthy.

‘Fine,’ he sighs. ‘I suppose it won’t hurt. I can probably get to most things over the next couple of days anyway.’

‘I can help you,’ my brother who doesn’t know one end of a screwdriver from the other pipes up.

‘No, thanks,’ Nico snorts. ‘Remember when you asked me to help you put up those shelves at your place?’

Jack huffs. ‘In fairness, I had no idea that pipe was there.’

‘I told you to use the wall scanner beforehand,’ Nico grumbles. ‘And you didn’t even know a stopcock was a thing, let alone where it was.’

‘I thought you were joking,’ Jack appeals to the room. ‘I mean, come on… stopcock?’

‘As I was being sprayed in the face by a metric ton of water, I wasn’t really in the mood for cracking wise. I’ll get the jobs done myself, thanks,’ Nico says firmly.

‘Perfect,’ Cynthie claps her hands together, ‘that’s settled then. Saturday night.’ She exchanges a sly look with Gran that definitely makes me nervous. ‘And don’t worry, Nico. It’ll just be a nice, simple affair.’

Chapter Forty-Seven

Nico

‘What do you mean it’s black tie?’ I ask Jack as he thrusts a tuxedo at me.

We’re standing in his and Cynthie’s room at the inn. It’s strange to see it full of stuff, lived in like this, strange but good.

‘I don’t know,’ Jack shrugs, dusting off the cuff of his own immaculately tailored tux. ‘Apparently Cynthie and Gran got involved in Magda’s party planning process and things have… escalated.’

‘Escalated to black tie?’ I groan. ‘Is this why you called me in here? When did this reopening party turn into such a big deal? I’m supposed to be making sure all the finishing touches are in place before people start arriving, and then I’m meant to be going back to pick up Lee. Has anyone told her it’s black tie? I doubt she has an evening dress with her and you know how much she freaks out about dressing right.’

Jack presses his lips together and waves an airy hand in the air. ‘That’s all under control. Gran and Cynthie are getting ready with Lee, Tara and Phoebe, and they’re all coming over together. It’s a girl thing.’

‘So where has this tuxedo come from? You had a spare? You travel with two tuxedos on the off chance you’ll need them?’ I grumble. ‘Actually, don’t answer that, it’s exactly the sort of thing you’d do.’

‘Hey, there’s nothing wrong with looking sharp. You might want to rethink your current devotion to plaid.’

I smirk. It didn’t take too many of the romance books Tara recommended before I worked out exactly why a plaid shirt could put that hungry look in Lee’s eyes. I’m filling my entire wardrobe with the things.

‘Your sister likes it,’ is all I say, but it seems that’s enough because Jack makes a brief retching sound.

‘I’m still getting used to this,’ he mutters.

‘Seriously though,’ I say, putting a hand on his arm to stop him as he turns away. ‘We haven’t had much of a chance to talk about it. Are we good?’

His eyes narrow. ‘Would you care if I said no?’

I exhale. ‘Yeah, I’d care. It just wouldn’t change things between me and Lee.’

‘There you go then,’ Jack shrugs. ‘Listen, I’m not in any position to play the overprotective brother part, even if I didn’t think that was dick behaviour. It’s not my business who Lee chooses to have a relationship with. For what it’s worth I know she couldn’t have chosen better.’

‘Fuck,’ I mutter. ‘You know I can’t cope with you when you’re being sincere.’

He grins. ‘Why do you think I do it? Now go and get ready. You’re basically the guest of honour, seeing as you apparently built this whole place with your bare hands.’ He looks moody for a second. ‘It’s giving Cynthie ideas and I know you’re very down on my DIY skills but I’m going to need you to show me how to put up a curtain rail. Also where can I get one of those tool belts? Honestly, I think it’s mostly about the tool belt.’

‘Buddy, you gotta earn the tool belt.’

There’s a knock on the door.

‘Nico, there you are!’ Magda appears. ‘Why aren’t you ready?’