Blue Smoke

beside his gorgeous golden-skinned wife as she burped their six-week-old infant.
    Of course the questions came popping out from all directions, but he fielded them easily enough. And didn’t seem surprised to see the Italian, Irish, Chinese mix in the kitchen of a nearly empty row house.
    He slid into the flow so easily, she was surprised to hear him say he was an only child when asked about his family.
    “My parents split when I was a kid. I grew up in PG County. My mother lives in North Carolina now. My father’s out in Arizona. I guess my partner’s like my brother. We’ve known each other forever. Maybe you remember him,” he said to Reena. “He dated a girl who knew Jan, went to Maryland. I think her name was Cammie.”
    “No, sorry. I didn’t socialize all that much in college.”
    “She spent most of her time studying,” Bella put in, with the slightest smirk. “Then she had her heart broken by tragedy.”
    “Bella.” Bianca’s voice was sharp as a whip.
    “Oh, for God’s sake, it was years ago. If she’s not over it, she ought to be.”
    “When someone dies, they stay dead no matter how many years pass.”
    “I’m sorry.” Bo turned to Reena.
    “You don’t have anything to apologize for,” she said with a long look at her sister. “Here, have some antipasto.” She picked up a platter. “Until I get a dining room table, we’ll be eating standing up or sitting on the floor.”
    “I could make you one.”
    “One what? A table?”
    “Yeah. It’s one of the things I do. Actually, my favorite thing. Building furniture. Give me an idea what you want, and I’ll make you a table. Ah, like a housewarming deal.”
    “You can’t just make me a table.”
    “Hush.” Bianca moved in. “You do good work?”
    “I do exceptional work. I offered her references before. Maybe you know Mr. and Mrs. Baccho, over on Fawn Street?”

    Bianca’s eyes narrowed. “I know them. Dave and Mary Teresa. You’re the boy who did their china cabinets.”
    “The oak and glass built-ins. Yeah, that’s my work.”
    “It’s good work.” Her gaze slid toward her husband. “I’d like something like those. Come in here, look at the dining room.”
    “Mama.”
    “It doesn’t hurt to have him look,” Bianca called back, and drew Bo away.
    An passed the baby to Xander. She was a tiny thing, barely five feet with a glossy wedge of coal black hair and deep black eyes. She plucked a stuffed mushroom from the platter Reena held. “He’s hot,” she murmured. “Serious hotness factor.”
    “I haven’t moved in yet, and she’s got me dating the boy next door.”
    “Hey, worst you can do is get a free table out of it.” She grinned around the mushroom. “And the guy looks like he can swing a hammer to me.”
    “I heard that innuendo,” Xander called out.
    “I’m going to go separate them.” Reena handed the platter to An and walked quickly to the dining room.
    Her mother was gesturing, holding her hands apart, talking about necessary seating.
    Bo looked over, patted a hand on his heart. “She just walks into the room and my head spins.”
    Reena arched her eyebrows. “You’re going to want to take that down a few levels.”
    “It’s my first day, so you need to cut me some slack. We’re thinking drop leaf. That way, you’d have the smaller size, and the extension for dinner parties and family meals without the bother of the leaves.”
    “I don’t know what I want yet.” About tables, she thought, about you. About anything but the job. “I can’t just say.”
    “I’ll make you up a few designs. Get the ball rolling. It’s the same setup I’ve got next door, so I can use my space for measurements. Lots of potential here.” He smiled at her. “Unlimited potential. I’d better go.”
    “You should stay,” Bianca objected. “Eat.”

    “Thanks, I’ll take a rain check. You need anything,” he said to Reena, “I’m right next door. I wrote down my number.” He pulled a card out of his pocket. “Cell’s printed on there, home number’s on the back. You need anything, just call.”
    “All right. I’ll walk you out.”
    He handed her his wineglass. “That’s okay. I know the way. You stay with your family. I’ll be in for that meal, Bianca.”
    “See that you are.”
    Bianca waited until she was sure he was out of earshot. “He has good manners. He has good eyes. You should give him a chance.”
    “I’ve got his number.” Reena stuffed it in her pocket. “I’ll