Gretchen nodded without acknowledging that Dahlia was trying to find commonality.
Gretchen was a tough customer. Dahlia didn’t think she was going to score any brownie points today, but that was okay. She understood childhood trauma and how one’s armor can thicken.
“I’ll grab one of the guys next door and bring these pieces in. We’re trying to get to the brewery before it closes,” Noah said, like he was now in a rush.
His sister looked at Dahlia and then at him with folded arms, like she wasn’t sure about this.
Dahlia’s mouth was dry. Suddenly, she felt like she was about to be interrogated.
Once Noah had left the room, Gretchen paced around Dahlia. “You seem like a nice girl.”
Dahlia wasn’t a girl. She was a woman—a mother.
“But my brother is very fragile right now. I don’t need anyone messing with his heart.” She stopped and glared at Dahlia.
“I assure you we’re just friends.” Dahlia tried not to stutter.
Gretchen snickered. “Oh, honey. I know my brother, and he likes you. But there are things you need to know.”
Dahlia leaned in closer, as if to say,I’m listening. The truth was, she wanted her to spill the tea before he came back. Deep down, she was dying to know what had happened with his ex.
“You probably know this already, but his last girlfriend broke his heart on national television. It was awful, the poor guy. Sincethen, he’s just been out here building his heart away to distract from the pain and humiliation.”
Dahlia could feel her creases deepen by the second.
“Oh, you don’t know?” Gretchen’s head drew back. “You must have seenHamptons House. The reality show that films in Southampton? It’s likeGrey Gardensmeets HGTV meetsLove Island.”
“I don’t know much about it, but there has been chatter in the town.” Dahlia shrugged, letting her continue.
“Well, at the end of last summer, he walked in on his best friend having, you know, having sex with Josie,” Gretchen said, shaking her head.
Dahlia’s heart plummeted to her feet, realizing that was why he’d been so distant at first. “What a bitch,” Dahlia blurted and quickly covered her mouth.
But Gretchen just nodded. “Damn straight. Josie the Hosie is what I like to call her.”
They laughed, and Dahlia let out a sigh. The moment of connection was quickly followed by “Anyway, if you break my brother’s heart, I’ll kill you.”
A short time after Dahlia assured Gretchen she had no ill intentions with Noah, she found herself sitting on a picnic bench waiting for him to return with beers. She tapped her fingers against the splintery surface, feeling a cool waft of air glide across her face. It hung just beneath the willow branches and brought with it an earthy aroma that made her pause to soak in the goodness of Mother Nature.
“Whatcha thinking about, Dimples?” Noah placed a beer-filled glass in front of her.
Dahlia shuddered in surprise. This wasn’t the first time he’d used this term of endearment, but she still wasn’t used to it. It wascute, maybe not for a thirty-eight-year-old, but she’d take that overcrazyorbitchany day.
Before she could answer, he said, “It’s like time stands still here.”
“I was just thinking that.” Her eyes felt wide. How could he read her mind like that? It was like they were riding the same wavelength.
“You’ll like this.” He nodded at the beer and tucked his long, thick legs into the picnic table. “The guy said it’s light and refreshing.”
Dahlia took a long sip, feeling the froth linger on her lip. “It’s citrusy; I like it.”
“Good,” he said, pointing to her mouth.
“Oh, thanks.” She licked the foam off her lips. “What did you get?” Dahlia peeked at his glass.
“A pilsner,” he said, taking a manly swig. He, too, had froth that lingered. Unlike him, she liked looking at it. At another time and place, she’d be that girl who climbed on top of him and kissed it off. But not today. Dahlia kindly pointed to his creamy ’stache.
He laughed and wiped it off. “So, what did you think of my sister’s place?”
