She shakes her head and peeks up at me through long, dark lashes. They’re lined with thick black liner that fans out to the side. Lucy refers to it as cat eyes. “No worries. I apologize you had to wait.”
It was worth itsits on my tongue, but I wave her off. “It’s okay. I’m sorry I frightened you.”
“Here.” She slides me the paper that she jotted on. “Write your name and the best number to reach you. I will call you as soon as they’re ready.”
I bend over and write down my information.
“Will you need them delivered?” she asks.
I place the pen on the counter and push the paper back over to her. “Nope. I’ll pick them up.” I turn to leave, but a vase on the shelving catches my attention. “Are these for sale?” I ask, pointing at them.
“Yes.”
I step over to the shelves and pick up a black vase with a dark purple butterfly on it. The inner wings fade into deep pink. It reminds me of my mother too. She loved butterflies and kepta picture in the family room of two butterflies resting in a field. It was her favorite. My father had it boxed up and sold at an auction after she passed.
I place the vase on the counter, and my eyes lift from the butterfly to hers. The purple of the butterfly’s body matches her hair and lips perfectly. “I’ll take this one for the arrangement.”
Before she can say anything else, I turn and get the hell out of the shop.
APRIL
I watch theman exit the front door before I turn to the cooler door and barge in.
“Just what do you think you were doing?” I bark at my little brother.
He stands behind the small table, trying to make an arrangement for the Blitz wedding this weekend. Stopping, he looks up at me and releases a sigh. His blue eyes are heavy, and he has bags under them. His band T-shirt and ripped jeans look like he picked them up off his bedroom floor this morning.
“What time did you get in last night?” I ask him. I went to bed at midnight, and he wasn’t home yet.
“Late,” is his clipped answer.
“Where were you?” I pry.
“At a party.”
He’s lying.“Ethan…” Though I’m only three years older than him, my younger brother is my responsibility. I have to protect him, but he fights me every step of the way. Since he still lives with me, he thinks he’s the man of the house and that he can do whatever he wants.
“Just stop, April. I don’t need you going all mom on me. It’s too early, and I’m too tired.”
I refrain from rolling my eyes at him and try changing the subject. “I’m cooking spaghetti tonight. Your favorite.”
“I won’t be home until late.”
“Where are you going?” I ask through thin lips.
“Out,” he says.
“Ethan, you need to get some sleep.”
He just ignores me.
I run my hands over my jeans and close my eyes. “Are you in trouble?” I ask. It’s been my biggest fear for a while now. He didn’t always hang with the best crowd. Between getting thrown out of school on multiple occasions and his run-ins with the law, he’s already on a dangerous path.
He snorts, and my eyes spring open. “No.”
“I’m serious, Ethan. I’m worried about you. You’re never home. You’re sleeping at work…”
He slams the glass vase onto the table. “You wanted to keep this fucking store!” he roars. “Not me!”
