Tranquil.
Not possible. An alarm goes off in my head, and my head lolls to the side. “Where is my sister?”
“She went for a walk.”
Did she?
I quickly stride straight to my front door and open it, only to hear happy voices.
“You’re killing me. My brother tried to destroy your box of chocolate?” My sister seems to be best friends with Esme as they stand on the property line chatting.
Casually, I find myself standing next to my sister. “Morning, ladies, what a coincidence that you two crossed paths at eight in the morning… and I didn’t know it was chocolate cupcakes. And I didn’t try to destroy your box. Not my fault someone thought leaving mail under the front porch bench on an 80-degree day was a smart idea,” I grind out because I’m unable to throw on even a pretend smile. Not when I want to grab Esme’s arm, haul her inside her house, and kiss her mouth shut.
Esme ignores me and focuses her attention on Summer. “It doesn’t matter. I repaid him in full when someone sent him those popcorn gifts and it got delivered to my house, and I made sure that the hole in the box would make the birds happy with a snack.” She shoots her eyes at me before whipping them back to Summer. “He is a saint to animals.”
Esme gives me a fake smile. “Oh dear, a little grumpy today? It must be a throwback to middle school drama club when you had to perform with a flute in a lion’s costume when you were in the Wizard of Oz school play. The cowardly lion suits you.”
I zip my sight to my sister. “You told her that?” I nearly shriek.
She shrugs. “What? It’s a classic Keats story. Plus, Esme is so fun, I’m sure she appreciates these stories. A photographer,too. I’ll need to get your number so I can book a session. “
My eyes bug out between them, and Summer looks at me oddly. “What?”
“I told Esme that I focus on engagement and family photos only, of course.” Esme’s stare at me is cheeky.
I take a long breath. I don’t like being stuck between these two. Not one bit.
“I think I hear Bo crying,” I tell my sister.
“Really? I don’t hear anything.”
“Yeah, screaming,” I say dryly.
She waves me off. “Ah, it’s fine. Nash is with him.” My sister seems invested in continuing the conversation with Esme. “We are probably heading to the park soon if you want to join. I’m sure my brother will say he hates that idea, but he really loves it.” If Summer weren’t blood related, then I would kill her just for pulling on my cheek like I’m a child.
Esme continues to smile at my sister. “That’s sweet of you but I have yoga, and quite frankly, even outside, your brother seems to be tainting the air.”
“Really?” I tear my eyes to Esme, and my sharp glare is returned in full. “You want to go down that road this early in the day? Because I could think of about ten ways of how you ruin living on this peaceful road.”
She stands taller and squares her body to me. “Peaceful? That’s the choice of words that you would like to use? You’re being a bit optimistic there.”
“Optimism is up your street if you would like to replay the other night.”
A hand breaks our wall, and we both snap our attention to my sister who is smiling nervously. “Again. I don’t need to hear rehash number two. I already got an earful yesterday.”
Esme steps back and smiles at my sister. “It was nicespeaking with you.” She takes a few more steps back, and her eyes remain pinned to mine for a few ticks before she turns her back on us.
I watch her leave and hate that I enjoy the view.
My sister interlaces our arms and leads me away. “You are so compatible with her.”
Instantly, I look at her strangely. “What planet do you live on?”
She indicates for me to sit on the step with her because a bonding moment is upon us. “Why are you being so stubborn?”
I sigh. “Summer, I haven’t been in a relationship in a long time. Why the hell would I even entertain the idea with batshit crazy over there?” Except she’s not. Esme is wild, funny, and meets me in the middle of every escapade.
“Liar. You love it. You should ask her out.”
