He leans back, crossing his arms. “You’ve never held back onmypersonal life.”
My fingers curl into fists in my lap. “I never insulted you.”
“You called me an idiot.”
I throw a look at Eliza. “In my defense, he was rotting away in his penthouse because he took what I saidoncetoo literally. So what was I supposed to say?”
Footsteps approach the dining room, putting an end to the discussion. Adam lowers himself into the seat across from me with that half smile that burns through me. Amusement is dancing in his expression, but for the first time in all these years since we’ve met, loved and loathed each other, I can’t hold his gaze.
“Did I miss something?” he says, picking up on the awkward vibe, and my cheeks flush again.
“Sibling squabble,” Carter waves him off.
I bristle. “I thought we agreed you’ll stop treating me like a child.”
“Then stop acting like one all the time.”
Fury swirls beneath my skin. This time, he’s taking it too far.
“Don’t talk to your sister like that,” Adam cuts in sharply. “She doesn’t needmeto stand up for her, but you’re out of line.”
The only sound in the silent room is the rustle of leaves through the open window.
Carter tilts his head, hands clasped. “Surprised to hear you disagreeing.”
Pulse thumping in my ears, I wait.
Adam’s gaze cuts to me, so distant, it’s almost icy. “My opinion of Jackie hasn’t changed.”
His words burn on the surface of my skin, making everything clear.
All the banter in the world won’t undo the past. Being stuck here is messing with my head. Thinking we could safely cross the old abyss of pain between us is foolish.
Maybe, at some point, we’ll be something close to friends. But never anything more.
Not again.
I focus on my plate, but I can still feel his gaze.
This time, I know better than to meet it. It only brings me pain.
I keep sneaking glances at Adam as he walks beside me through the festival grounds. To say I was surprised he wanted to join me today is an understatement. Especially since he knew I was meeting Will and Blanca.
They’re both back for another short visit, which means I’ve been coaxed out of the lake house and into town again. Hours of strolling together, eating, pretending everything is normal. At least until Blanca finds an excuse to vanish, leaving Will and me to dance around a question neither of us has yet asked out loud.
Could we make more of what we had in London?
We stop at one of the white tents lining the inner harbor, pitched on a stretch of grass. This one smells faintly of wood shavings and salt. In one corner, a local woodworker carves seabirds, curls of pale cedar gathering at his feet. Across from him, a gaggle of kids paint shells with bright colors.
As we drift to the next stall, Adam steps in closer, his arm brushing mine, and inconspicuously turns his palm up to reveal a purple wrapped candy.
“A peace offering,” he whispers quietly. “To seal our truce.”
Blanca, who walks ahead of us with Will, glances over her shoulder, her lips pursing when she sees the exchange.
What Adam said last night still hurts. I have half a mind to tell him where to shove his little treat and tear the truce to pieces. But this fragile new friendship feels too tempting to ruin.
I take the candy and pop it in my mouth, mint chocolate blooming on my tongue. “To us,” I say. “And behaving likeadults.” I breathe in the salty air, soaking up the sunlight. “Oh, wait. I don’t have anything to offer in return.”
