“Sure, you’re not much of a romantic,” Gramps says, looking pointedly at the house behind us all.
“Hmm,” Rory says, breezing past her stepfather’s comment and replying to her husband. “I’m not sure. Might be one of those too much of a good thing kind of situations. Sure she’s cute and adorably morbid on her own, but put her with someone who’s also dark and maybe that takes over. I don’t know, I vote she should be with whoever she wants, but I picture her with someone…lighter. Who balances her out. But that’s just me.”
I could swear it’s not just Lexi’s eyes on me now, I feel Rory’s, too, but I couldn’t tell you because I’ve never been so interested in a hot dog with sauerkraut in my damn life.
“Her engine’s going all right,” Wyatt pipes up.
“Yeah,” I grunt in agreement.
“Probably be done next week,” Wyatt continues, like he doesn’t realize those words are carving holes in my insides.
Or maybe he’s doing it on purpose?
I look up to meet his green gaze and there’s nothing malicious there. In fact, I think this is something like pride he’s looking at me with. Brotherly respect.
Probably the closest thing I could hope for to friendship with him at this point in our lives. It’s enough to warm some of the shadowy parts in me, the two of us, getting along like this. Mom will want video evidence.
Rory looks between us, a rare smile beaming on her face.
“Should be,” I grunt out, nodding at Wyatt.
Next week already?Not sure if I want to drag it out so she’s stuck here, or get it over with so I can finally put my imagination to use.
“Damn, y’all tryin’ to run her out of town already or what?” Lexi jokes.
“Just running a business here, Alexis,” Wyatt retorts. “Something you might get to know about someday.” He eyes her meaningfully and she screeches, glaring at her sister.
“What the fuck Aurora?”
“Like my husband wasn’t going to hear?”
“What happened to attorney client privilege?”
“I’m not your attorney, idiot.”
“Then what are you doing in that fancy office of yours downtown?”
“Running a committee.”
“You’re a lawyer!”
“You never paid me to beyourlawyer.”
“Oh, fuck off, you knew that was in confidence!”
“Please, feel free to find the clause that says sisterly confidence holds up in a court of law. I’ll wait here.” Rory couldn’t be dryer if her throat was a desert.
“Oh, so we’re sharing sisterly secrets, is that it?” Lexi’s voice gets dangerously passionate and Rory’s hackles go up.
“Don’t start a war with me you can’t win,” Rory threatens.
“Hey, Wyatt,” Lexi taunts.
“What are you doing?” Rory’s voice is dangerously low.
“Did Rory ever tell you about that guy in New York who?—”
Lexi doesn’t get to finish because Rory launches herself around the table and tackles her sister to cover her mouth.
