Because Daisy’s been defensive of her, even though it’s obvious that she’s not much for mingling like this.
I spot the sisters across the room by the food, and the more I look at Drew, the paler she seems to be.
She catches my gaze and smiles shyly before putting a cupcake on a small paper plate, which she brings to me.
I take the plate in one hand and brush my other over her cheek, pushing her hair back from her face, feeling the chill in her cheeks but the heat at the back of her neck. Is she coming down with something?
Her usual fire has dulled, and I worry that what we did the other night—the four of us—is coming back to bite us in the ass. Were we too much for her?
Daisy clears her throat and rolls her eyes before peering around the room, like she’s checking who’s watching us.
Drew gives me her half smile and points to the cupcake in my hand.
“It’s my own invention. Don’t tell my dad.”
That pulls a laugh out of me.
Her unease probably has more to do with her parents being here than it has to do with us.
All those expectations she’s been battling against since she returned home.
And fuck all, I’m absolutely in love with her.
The thought strikes me directly in the center of my chest.
I shift my thoughts and peel off the corner of the cupcake paper to take a solid bite.
Holy…god, that is a good cupcake.
Moist. Full of flavor. Good balance. Delicious.
She twinkles when she sees my reaction and puts her finger to her lip to cement the secret.
Daisy has her by the arm, leaning in to whisper something before Drew aims that crinkling amusement back at me and is off again to hand out food and talk with tourists.
I finish the cupcake as I watch her, catching the way she flinches at something someone says behind her.
What the hell is that all about?
I take a step toward her to find out, but one of the local business owners—Greg, our local grocer—steps in front of me with a smirk. “Excellent party. That Bennett girl has turned into a hell of an asset, hasn’t she?”
I try not to take that the wrong way, but I bristle inside. “Absolutely.”
“Do you think she’d be interested in taking on other clients? I mean, if you don’t plan to keep her busy yourself.”
My brow raises automatically, even though I know Greg is happily married. I don’t understand this sudden defensiveness, but tension is crawling up my back and latching onto my shoulders.
Then, I hear it, the snippets of gossip breaking through the regular chatter.
Did you see how tired she looks?
Must be something in the water…
Or someone.
All of it followed my laughter.
Anger builds as I narrow my eyes at the gossipers. Locals. Every one of them.
