The Summer of Sunshine and Margot - Susan Mallery Page 0,34
grimaced. “I know, I know. It’s a family name, don’t judge.”
“Sunshine.” She raised a shoulder. “So not really in a position to judge anyone’s name.”
Norris held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Sunshine. Thank you so much for saving me. And the birthday party. The wrong cake would have been a disaster.”
“I’m happy to help.” She reached for her cart.
“Wait.” Norris took a step toward her. “Can I thank you with a cup of coffee?”
“Not necessary.”
He hesitated, as if not sure what to do, then he blurted, “I’m a financial planner, divorced for two years, no kids and I’m a really nice guy.” He waved toward the cake displays. “Obviously. I’m helping out my sister. Just coffee.”
He pulled a small leather case out of his jacket pocket and handed her a business card. She took it and scanned the information. It looked official enough and had both a work and cell number on it.
Was being picked up in a grocery store any better than a random guy stopping her in a parking lot? Or was it really about the location? Maybe the guy was more important. Norris seemed like one of the good ones and he had been willing to pick out a princess cake for his sister. That had to mean something.
She pulled a pen out of her handbag, then held out her hand for another card. She wrote her number on the back and handed it to him.
“Coffee,” she said. “Sounds nice.”
“Excellent.” He beamed at her. “I’ll be in touch.”
Sunshine waved, then walked away. She wasn’t sure if she’d just taken a big step toward something better or had completely screwed up. Again.
Chapter Eight
Declan found himself eager to get home. Sunshine’s text around eleven had made him chuckle. We have ants! Connor would be thrilled and knowing his son was happy made him happy, as well.
He didn’t have to go out to the Malibu job site, so he was able to leave work at five and be home by five-thirty. He walked in from the garage and called out that he was back. Connor came running and flung his arms around Declan’s waist.
“Daddy, Daddy, they’re here! Sunshine waited for them to arrive and kept them safe until I got home. We moved them into the ant farm and they’re really happy. Come see! Come see!”
Declan allowed his son to drag him into his room where the ant farm sat on his desk.
“Sunshine says I should wait at least a month before getting a second one. That I have to prove I can take care of them and that I don’t lose interest.”
“Those are excellent points,” Declan said, not bothering to mention that there wasn’t actually much to do when it came to the ant farm. Making sure Connor wanted to pursue his ant farm dreams was the main thing.
“Sunshine is really smart.”
“She is.”
And gorgeous and sexy as hell and the stuff sexual dreams were made of, none of which he would ever say and probably shouldn’t think.
“I’m going to get changed, then let’s check out what’s for dinner.”
“Okay, Dad. I’m going to watch my ants.”
Declan kissed the top of his son’s head before going into the master and changing into jeans and a T-shirt. He collected Connor on his way to the kitchen.
“We’re having barbecue chicken tonight,” Connor said. “And pasta salad. I helped with that. It was fun.” He wrinkled his nose. “And roasted vegetables. Sunshine said the barbecue makes them better tasting but I don’t know if that’s true.”
Declan saw the table was already set and Sunshine was indeed outside, at the barbecue. She already had a large platter of cooked chicken beside her, along with a few pieces of raw chicken. Apparently she’d been at the grill for a while.
“I’m going to check on Sunshine,” he said. “Do you want—”
“I’m going back to my ants!” Connor yelled as he skipped down the hall.
Declan pulled a couple of beers out of the refrigerator before heading outside. Sunshine smiled when she saw him.
“Hi. How was your day?”
“Good.” He handed her a beer. “You do realize barbecuing is man’s work.”
“I’m breaking down barriers left and right.”
He nodded at the impressive pile of cooked chicken. “I’m not sure we’re that hungry.”
“I’ll freeze it.”
“That or you’ll need to invite the neighborhood.” He glanced toward the house. “Connor’s very excited about the ants.”
“I know. The transfer went very smoothly. I think the ant farm is going to be good for him.”