“Sorry about that. How are you doing today?”
“Good. We wanted to come yesterday, but we’re glad we could make it out today,” the mom says. “This is where we do most of our holiday shopping.”
“That’s great! Thanks for supporting small business.”
“Mom, look at these.”
The daughter points out my eclectic earring collection. They light up at them. Glee fills me at their enjoyment right before my eyes.
“I have more options available online, and I take custom orders if there’s a shape you have in mind.”
“We’ll take these ones.” The mom nudges her daughter. “We like to match.”
“That’s so sweet. I’m also doing a special today for your choice of sticker if you buy two sets of earrings.”
The daughter picks one out while her mom takes the free business card sticker I made that has a smaller version of my no bad days design. I ring them up on my phone, pulse thrumming with adrenaline.
“My first event sale,” I murmur to Cole after they continue down the row.
He rubs my back. “See? I told you everything would be great.”
I hum, lifting my chin to meet him in a kiss. His palm fits to my cheek, caressing it with his thumb.
“What the hell?”
We snap apart at Benson’s surprised exclamation. What is he doing here?
My hand automatically finds Cole’s out of habit. It draws my brother’s attention, his brows flattening. He lifts his glare to Cole.
“Benny,” Cole says warily. “Take it easy.”
“How long have you been fucking around with my sister?”
Cole’s jaw clenches. “Don’t phrase it like that. We’re not fucking around. She’s my girlfriend.”
“We wanted to tell you,” I cut in. “We were going to.”
“How long?” Benson ignores me, staring Cole down. “When did you go behind my back to start this?”
“Her birthday,” he mutters.
Benson’s eyes bulge. “Fucking New Year’s?” He swipes a hand over his mouth until it dawns on him. “Christ, that time I came to pick you up in the summer. The secret girl I caught you with was my sister this whole time?”
I cringe. “Come on, Benny. Can we not?”
“No, I think we should,” he says. “Because I came all the way out here to make sure you were good after the storm, and I find out you’re both lying to me.”
The commotion is driving people away from my space and the vendors near me. My chest constricts with worry that I’m hurting their businesses.
Cole glances around, then circles the table to snag Benson’s arm. “Come on. I’m not doing this here.”
Torn between staying at my table and making sure things don’t get out of hand between them, I write a hasty be right back sign and dash after them.
Cole drags Benson down a deserted side hall off the main room. “Look?—”
“Don’t you ‘look’ me.” Benson shrugs him off. “My sister, Cole? Really?”
“You got a problem with me and her?”
