“Funny.” Working quickly, Laurel lifted the fondant with both hands and laid it over the first tier. “You could tell him to stop being so asinine and give them back.”

“Okay.”

“No, don’t say anything.” She shrugged then smoothed the top and sides, pushing out more air bubbles as she worked. “I don’t need the shoes. I’ve already forgotten them.”

“Sure.”

Laurel picked up a pizza cutter, shook it at Parker. “I know your games, Brown. You’re trying to get me worked up so I’ll call him about it. It won’t work.”

“Okay.” Parker smiled easily while Laurel ran the cutter around the base of the cake to cut away the excess fondant. “He’ll be here in a minute. I’ll come back with strawberries.”

“Different sizes, different shades,” Laurel called out.

“Got it.” She strolled back to the front of the house, pleased to know she’d done just what she’d set out to do. Laurel would work the rest of the day with Del and the shoes on her mind.

She stepped outside, slipped on her sunglasses, and walked down the path just as Del pulled up.

“Right on time,” he said.

“You, too.”

“We’re Browns. We’re obsessed with punctuality.”

“I consider it a virtue, and a skill. Thanks for doing this, Del.”

“Easy enough. I’m going to swing by and meet with a client, then hook up with Jack for lunch. Worked out.”

“Multitasking. The key to all. New shoes?” she asked.

“No.” He glanced over at her as he made the turn out of the drive. “Why?”

“Oh, I heard you recently acquired some fabulous new shoes.”

“Right.” The corner of his mouth twitched in amusement. “They’re not the right size. Plus walking around in heels makes my toes cramp.”

She poked him in the arm with her finger. “Taking Laurel’s shoes. When are you going to stop being twelve?”

“Never.” He laid a hand over his heart as if to swear it. “Is she pissed or amused?”

“Both, and neither. I’d say she’s confused.”

“Then mission accomplished.”

“That’s so typical. Why do you want to confuse her?”

“She started it.”

She tipped down her sunglasses to peer at him over the tops. “I think you just regressed to the age of eight. Started what?”

He shot her another look. “I may be eight, but I know you and your pack. You know what she started, and now you’re trying to wheedle out my side of it.”

“I don’t have to wheedle, and you don’t have to tell me. Sorry,” she added when her phone rang. “Shawna, hi! I just left Laurel in the kitchen where she was finishing your cake. It’s going to be gorgeous. All right. Uh-huh. No, no, don’t worry. I’ll call my travel agent and ... That was resourceful. Do you have his new flight number? Yes.”

As she spoke she took out a pad and pen, and repeated the information as she noted it down. “I’ll check shortly, just to make sure it’s on schedule, and I’ll arrange for a car to pick him up and bring him to rehearsal. No, it won’t be a problem. You just leave it to me, and we’ll see you tonight. Relax, everything’s under control. Go, get your nails done and don’t worry about a thing.Yes, me, too. Bye.

“BM’s flight cancelled. He’s rerouted,” she said as she put the pad away. “He’ll be a little late tonight.”

“I was worried for a minute.”

“Laurel’s right.You are a smart-ass.”

“Is that what she said?”

With a careless shrug, Parker tucked her BlackBerry away.

“Okay, okay, your torture methods are efficient and cruel. She changed the playing field so I’m trying to figure out if I should suit up. I’m not sure it’s a good idea, but ... well, it’s an idea. Comments?”

“I think you’re both going to try to be in charge so you’ll either fight like rabid dogs or fall wildly in love. Possibly both, as you’re each starting out with strong and long-term feelings for and about each other. And those feelings will shift and change if you ... suit up.”

“I’m not looking to fight or fall wildly. I’m just exploring a potential new dynamic. Is it weird for you?”

Interesting, she thought, they’d both asked her the same question. “I don’t know yet. When she gets in touch with you about the shoes, which she will even though she thinks she won’t, don’t gloat.”

“Only on the inside.” He turned into the parking lot of the garage. “She’s going to get in touch?”

“She really likes those shoes. Plus, she’ll decide not getting in touch is letting you win.” She leaned over, kissed his cheek. “Thanks for the lift.”

“I can wait for you. Mal’s around somewhere, so I can hang out with him until you’re set.”

“That’s okay.” If Del talked to Malcolm, then Malcolm would know she was there, and he’d certainly have something to say. She’d prefer to avoid it, and him. “I called ahead so they know I’m coming.”

“Of course you did. Well, tell Mal I’ll see him at poker night.”

“Hmm. Come to dinner next week.” She stepped out of the car. “We’ll do a big family dinner. I’ll check everyone’s schedule and let you know what night’s best if you’re open.”

“I can be open. Hey, Parker. You look pretty.”

She smiled. “Just keep your eyes off my shoes.” She shut the door on his laugh and walked into the office.

The frazzled woman with the orange hair and green-framed cheaters sat behind the counter and gave Parker a little come-ahead as she talked on the phone. A few discreet inquiries had given Parker the info that the woman was Malcolm’s mother.

Not that it mattered, particularly. She just liked to know who she was dealing with.

“That’s right, tomorrow afternoon. After two. Look, buddy, the part just got here, and the boy’s only got two hands.” She rolled sharp green eyes—the same shade as her son’s—at Parker while she chugged from a bottle of Dr Pepper. “Do you want it fast or do you want it right? He told you it’d take a day once the part showed up. I heard him myself. Maybe you oughta buy American. If it’s ready sooner, I’ll call you. Best I can do. Yeah, you have a real good day. Dickhead,” she added when she’d hung up.