It had been a long time since someone had captured his attention so fully. But he’d have to let it go. It wasn’t meant to be.
He went around the rental house one more time, systematically turning off lights and checking locks. After dropping the key off with the owner, he drove straight to L.A., only stopping for gas. He almost hoped Gianna wouldn’t be home, but she greeted him the moment he came inside.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” She looked down at his suitcase and then up at his frown. “What happened?”
“Charlie’s moved on to San Francisco. I think I’ll stay here for a while. That should make you happy.”
“Seeing you always makes me happy.” She eyed him curiously but didn’t press further. “Are you hungry?”
“Starving.” He hadn’t eaten since breakfast that morning.
“Great. I’ll make you an omelet.”
Gianna wheeled into the kitchen and immediately started browsing in the fridge, using her long grabber. He’d wanted to buy her a refrigerator that went under the counter, but she wouldn’t hear of it, preferring her shiny stainless steel beauty.
“What can I do to help?”
She handed him a bag of green onions. “Chop these up fine.”
He got to work and soon the kitchen smelled wonderful. Like browning butter and fresh herbs. He flipped on her iPod, sitting in its docking station. Their mother had always listened to Otis Redding while puttering away in the kitchen, and they liked to carry on the tradition.
He got lost in “These Arms of Mine,” reveling in the depression music like that evoked. But it could only be today. Starting tomorrow he wouldn’t think about Elsie again.
“You want to talk about her?” Gianna asked, a small smile slipping as she caught him lost in thought.
He sighed. “Not really.” He couldn’t tell her about Jeff’s involvement. After the accident, Gianna had thrown herself into her recovery. She rarely spoke of Jeff and always with pain. Jeff had actually tried to claim she was the one driving and they’d swapped seats right after the accident. It made no logical sense, considering the fire department had to use the Jaws of Life to get her out. But then, nothing about Jeff Wickham made logical sense.
“What happened with Charlie and Jane?”
“What do you think?”
Gianna cocked her head. “Again? I think the phrase ‘string of broken hearts’ was named after that rascal.”
“And yet he’s such a nice guy.” Will’s best friend was an unexpected personality paradox.
“Do you think it’s because the Bingley’s are so…” Gianna motioned with her spatula, trying to come up with the right word.
Will smiled. “Distant? Demanding? You could fill in that sentence with so many things, Gianna. And yes. I do think that’s why Charlie can’t commit to anyone. His parents probably haven’t touched each other in twenty years. That’s commitment right there. A rock-solid relationship.”
“Oh, Will. You’re terrible.” She laughed, shaking her head at him. “But I’m glad you’re home.”
***
Elsie hid in the office, trying to draw new T-shirt designs, but everything turned out terrible. She finally pulled out the letter from Will and read it through again. Then she slid the thing in the paper cutter and sliced off the P.S. at the bottom before stalking down the hall to Jane’s room.
Compartmentalizing their individual suffering was not helping, but she would at least spare her sister Will’s callous explanation of Charlie’s decision.
“Will came to see me at the library today.”
Jane’s eyes widened. “What did he say?”
“He said …” His words came back to Elsie and it hurt to think of what she’d said in return, about him being controlling. No one likes to admit they’ve been a complete idiot, even to their sister. “He said he really, really liked me and he wanted to stay and see if…” Elsie sat down on the floor and picked at the rug. “It doesn’t matter because I shut him down. I told him he was controlling and I asked him about going back for the watch he supposedly dropped. There was no watch. He went to confront Jeff.”
“Will wanted to stay for you?” Jane put a hand to her forehead. “Wow. Oh wow.” But she must have realized her excitement was making Elsie feel worse. “Confront Jeff about what?”
Elsie pulled out the letter and let it flutter down onto the bed next to Jane. “This will explain better. I’m going to go get some hot chocolate. You want some?”
Jane waved her off, already too immersed in the letter to answer. Elsie took that as a yes and went to the kitchen to prepare two mugs.
