But it doesn’t pass.
I’m so quiet and distraught through the rest of the meal that I’m certain once Jeff finds out his son and I are dating, he’ll advise Ten to dump me. The thought adds to the edgy energy short-circuiting my system.
Borrowed time.
49
The Devouring Melody
As we wait on the sidewalk for the valet to bring us our respective cars, Nev touches the sleeve of my wraparound sweater and cocks her head to the bloating crowd of rubberneckers on the other side of the street. “You think there’s a celebrity staying at the hotel?”
My hands shake, but they’re mostly covered by my knit sleeves, so I don’t think Nev notices. Still, I inch them even farther up until only my nails are visible.
Ten sidles up next to me. “It’s done.”
My breath catches. “What’s done?”
“Brunch with my dad. You survived.”
Of course… That’s what he thinks put me on edge. “And he’ll never invite me after today. I was so spacey and a total klutz.”
Ten has his hands stuffed inside his jean pockets, probably to stop himself from reaching for my hand. He tried during brunch.
“Want to go”—he shrugs—“do something?”
My pulse soars at his suggestion and incapacitates my brain from forming a verbal response. Glancing over Ten’s shoulder to make sure our parents are not paying attention, I nod.
“Can I come too?” Nev asks. “Please… pretty please. I’ll do anything.” She presses her palms together and bats her eyelashes at her brother.
Ten glances at me over Nev’s head as though to check if it’s okay. Like I would ever exclude her…
“We could go bowling,” I suggest.
“Ilovebowling!” Nev gushes.
I smile. “Do you like bowling, Ten?”
A small smile flicks his lips up. “Hope you’re not the competitive type, Angie, because I’ve never lost a game.”
“There’s always a first time for everything,” I answer sweetly.
Like a sunrise, the intensity of his smile turns up and up until it burns away my residual stress.
“Yay!” Nev slings her skinny arms around his waist.
“But after…” he murmurs. He points to me and then to himself, and my heart skips a long beat.
I give him a jerky nod.
“Hello. I’m right here,” Nev says, body still attached to her brother’s.
He pats her shoulder. “I can feel that, you little sloth.”
She presses away from him and sticks her hands on her nonexistent hips. “I’m so not a sloth.”
“You hang on like one,” he says.
She scowls, but I don’t think she’s offended. “Would you call Angie a sloth if she hugged you all the time too?”
