Page 14 of Love Like Ours

“Lucas wants the two of you to swing by the restaurant sometime this week. The back fridge keeps dancing away from the wall.”

“Dancing?” Parker frowned.

Avery shrugged. “His words, not mine.”

“I’ll swing by later today.” His eyes moved over to Sophia’s back as she ordered.

“Thanks.” Avery sighed.

“How goes it?” Parker asked her.

“Slow. How did Sara ever manage to give birth to twins? This one is giving me hell.” Avery groaned. “Little hint.” She turned to him. “Morning sickness doesn’t always happen in the morning. Mine seems to happen around ten each night, just when I’ve started to fall asleep. Then, wham!” She slapped her hands together, causing several people to glance over at her.

“Thanks for the tip,” he said dryly, and Avery laughed.

“Trust me, someday you’ll thank me sincerely.” She touched his arm just as Sophia sat next to Parker.

“Sorry, everyone we bump into this morning is getting unwanted pregnancy advice,” Avery said, and then took a sip of her coffee.

Palmer chuckled at Avery’s bluntness. For a brief moment, his and Sophia’s eyes met, and the warmth in her gaze made his chest tighten.

“Including me,” Sophia teased Avery as she stirred her coffee, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.

“Absolutely,” Avery said without missing a beat. “I’ve got advice for everyone today.”

Parker leaned back, smirking. “Lucky us.”

Avery nudged him playfully. “You’re welcome.”

Palmer took the opportunity to turn to Sophia. “How’d you sleep?” he asked softly, his tone casual, though his heart thudded in his chest.

She paused for a moment, her fingers tapping lightly against her coffee cup. “Not bad,” she replied. Her voice was steady but her smile gave away something unspoken. “How about you?”

“Not much sleep,” Palmer admitted, leaning back in his chair. “Too much on my mind.”

Avery raised an eyebrow, glancing between them. “Well, don’t let us interrupt. Clearly, you two have some catching up to do.”

Sophia rolled her eyes, laughing lightly. “You’re impossible.”

“Don’t mind her,” Parker interjected. “I heard from her husband that she’s just trying to avoid talking about the nursery she’s supposed to be working on. We still need the paint color for the walls if we’re going to get the work finished before that baby comes.”

Avery gasped, mock offended. “Excuse me! I’ve been meticulously planning that nursery, thank you very much. It’s a process. I’ll get you the color next week.”

“You’ve been saying that for three weeks,” Parker quipped, earning a playful swat on the arm.

Sophia shook her head at their banter, then turned back to Palmer. “So,” she began, her voice quieter, “any plans for today?”

He hesitated for a beat, wondering if now was the time to ask her out. Before he could respond, Avery chimed in again.

“Careful, Palmer,” she teased. “Sophia might rope you into one of the projects she was talking to me about on the way over here. She has big plans for some remodeling.” Avery winked at Sophia, who just frowned and shrugged slightly.

“I’ll take my chances,” Palmer said, his gaze locked on Sophia.

“No projects, I promise.” She held up her coffee.

Before anyone could add another comment, the barista called out an order, and Avery took the opportunity to stand. “Don’t mind me while I waddle my way back to the counter.”

As Avery walked off, Parker followed, heading over to chat with a few people, leaving Palmer and Sophia alone at the table.