“Why don’t you go and talk to her right now?” Mom asks.
“Because I don’t want to upset her. I don’t want her to feel like I’m choosing Dad over her feelings.”
“I know you love her, but you need to do what’s best for you. And if that means having your dad come to visit you, then she’s going to need to find a way to go along with it.” Aunt Rosey says.
“I guess.” I sigh.
“How’s everything else going? How’s Ellie? I hear she’s staying in town now,” Mom says.
“No surprise there,” Aunt Rosey mumbles.
I arch a brow at her.
“Oh, please.” She waves me off. “That girl was going to stay. I knew the moment she came running home. Why would someone decide to stay home for the entire summer and not just a week? I’ve known that girl since she was in her mother's belly. I should have had a bet going on in town if she were to stay or not. I would have made a killing.
“Everyone in town was talking to each other, saying that she was going to stay because people always come here when they need to escape from something. I like to think the town has some magic to it, to help people.”
“I may be part of the reason for her staying,” I gloat, knowing that I am.
“Are you twofinallytogether again?” Aunt Rosey drawls.
I splay my hands out. “Give me a break.”
“Only took you a million years to get her back.” She raises her brows with a smile.
“Do you hear how she talks to me?” I ask my mom and point at my aunt.
My mom places her hand on my cheek and gives me the warmest smile. “It’s out of love.”
* * *
I use my spare key when I get to Addie’s place and let myself in. Which I know I shouldn’t do. But I’m her big brother, so technically, I’m allowed. When I step into her apartment, I see her on the couch reading one of her romance books.
She quickly closes it when I come into view. “Rowan,” she says in a small, panicky voice.
I look around her living room, noticing she’s by herself. “Sorry, did I interrupt something?”
She shakes her head. “No, not at all.” She puts on a controlled smile, and I swear her cheeks turn red.
Whatever it was that she was reading just now...I don’t want to know.
I close the door behind me and say, “Can we talk really quick? It won’t take long.”
She studies me and pinches her brows together, placing her book on the coffee table in front of her. “Is everything good?”
I sit down on the other end of the couch and rub my hands on my jeans. “I wanted to talk to you about Dad.” I look at her.
“Oh.” She turns her body toward me with a neutral expression.
“I was thinking about inviting Dad to town for a weekend during the festival. Just him and Amy.” I clear my throat, trying to shake out the nerves. “But I won’t do that if you’re not comfortable with it. You’re my baby sister, and you come first.”
Addie gives me the smallest nod that you wouldn’t have noticed if you weren’t staring. She moves her eyes to the other side of the living room and purses her lips. “Hm.”
“I really don’t need to invite him. I can go to him. Forget what I asked.” I start to stand up, but she puts her hand out to stop me.
“Wait,” she tells me without looking at me. “Sit down.” She runs her fingers through her thick, wavy hair and keeps it there. Still looking anywhere but at me. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
