“Oh, no. I hope they find somewhere open. I know most of the pharmacies carry them, but like you said, they’re usually closed on Sundays. Drats!” Mom exclaimed as the pot of water boiled over. Using her trusty dish towel she always kept on her shoulder while cooking, she grabbed the handles of the pot and took it off the burner.
Tonight’s meal was homemade ravioli, and my crimping of the pasta was superb.
“You sure everything else is okay?” she asked as she stirred her sauce and placed the water pot back on the stove with the dial turned down.
“Yeah,” I lied. “Tami is gone for another three weeks. I just miss her.”
“I miss her, too. She’s always fun to have around.”
I did miss my best friend, but that wasn’t what had me out of sorts. I was growing attached to Nate. No matter how hard I tried to convince myself it was just sex, the butterflies in my stomach erupted whenever he was near. When he walked around his SUV this morning, I thought I was going to throw up from how much they fluttered around.
Andrew was still a problem for us. He hadn’t been around much, flying across the country recently to settle some contracts for Dad. Yesterday was the first time I’d seen him in a week.
We worried about the girls catching us, but they seemed fine. Today had been eye-opening when they saw us kissing.
It’s what had me confused. Iwantedpeople to know. I wanted to go to dinner with him at The Purple Goat where all the townspeople hung out. Or get a drink with him at the bar when the cake shop closed and not worry about the rumors swirling.
I wantedhim.
Mom set a glass of red wine in front of me and then went about sweeping my scraps into her hand to throw away. If there was anyone I could confide in, it would be Mom.
“Hey, Mom. What do you think Andrew would say if—”
The rest of the question fell away as excited screams filled the kitchen.
“What would Andrew say about what?” Andrew asked as he sidled up next to me. “Hey, sis.” He pressed his lips to the top of my head as Nate stepped into the kitchen, looking for his daughters.
“Oh, nothing. I was hoping maybe I could get you to read over some of the vendor contracts before I sign them.” The lie came easily, but as I let it fester and grow, I realized it had merit.
“So, you’re really doing it?”
“Yep.”
“Then sure, I’ll look them over. Thanks for asking. Hey, Mom.” He stepped away from me and wrapped our mom in a hug, and Nate took my brother’s place at the island.
Leaning over, he apologized for leaving earlier today. They ended up driving two towns over to find a big box store that had hearing aid batteries in stock.
I snuck a quick glance at Molly, and she was sitting on my dad’s lap like nothing had been amiss. I studied her for a minute. It was the smallest of movements, one anyone else would brush aside. But as she tucked her hair behind her ear, she rubbed the aid. It really did put her at ease.
“What are you thinking about for later?” I whispered, trying my hardest not to move my mouth. Growing up, I swore these walls had eyes and ears. They told all our secrets to my mom. She knew everything.
“I’m not sure, but it will probably involve sneaking you into my room after everyone’s gone to bed.”
Disappointment stirred within me. I was going to have to wait until much later to be alone with him. Autumn and Colton had their own private quarters, but they usually hung around the first floor for a good portion of the night in case any of the guests needed anything.
Their hospitality was annoying.
“Not any sooner?”
“Not unless you know a place here where there is zero risk of someone walking in.”
Nowhere in this house was safe. My sisters and Andrew knew all the good hiding spots. If they wanted to find me, they could.
“That stinks.”
“Sorry. And I promised the girls they could call their mom.” Nate turned away and looked off into the rest of the kitchen. “They… uh… want to tell her about your cake shop and how they’ve been helping you.”
I blanched. Did she know about us? If she wanted to cause drama in Nate’s life, would she figure out a way to use me against him?
