Oh, it feels so good to have him standing here in the bakery, teasing me like the old days when he and Cameron were both in high school and would come every day after school to get cookies or other treats for their friends and teams. Sometimes the boys drive me crazy, but mostly, I just miss having them around all the time, big and loud, sometimes stinky, but so funny and entertaining.
“What are youreallydoing here? You could have bought a snickers bar at a gas station much closer to campus if you were only craving sugar.”
“Maybe I wanted to see you.” Cory lifts one shoulder, deceptively nonchalant. “It’s been a while. And I never did get to visit you in the hospital this time.”
Warmth fills the broken places inside of me. I walk around the counter and wrap my arms around my brother. He squeezes me tight and exhales deep and slow.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I say, muffled by his hoodie. “I miss you.”
“I miss you, too, sis.”
I let go to back up and study his face, taking in the shadows under his winter-sky-blue eyes. “You’re not getting enough sleep.”
“I have finals in a few weeks, and Farmor’s still in the hospital. Of course I’m not getting enough sleep.” He laughs off my concern. “That’s why I need sugar. And lots of it.”
“Do I hear my Cory?” Mom bursts out of the kitchen with her arms already open. We both had to come in today because we got a fairly large special order, and we needed the money too much to say no.
“Mom, you look as young and gorgeous as ever!” Cory dwarfs her. Neither of us is small—we’re tall women. Cory is trulythatbig.
“You and that silver tongue are going to get in trouble someday.” Mom is faintly blushing when she swats at him.
“Who says I haven’t already?” Cory replies.
“I don’t doubt that,” I murmur, and he raises his eyebrows.
“I made a fresh batch ofsemlorbuns a few minutes ago for a special order, but there are a few extras. Do you want some?” Mom asks as she takes Cory’s arm and drags him into the kitchen.
“You know I never turn down yoursemlorbuns,” I hear him say as I turn back to the form I was filling out when he came in, before I forget the final few details I was writing down.
I’m sliding it into the folder for future orders when the bell jingles again. Still buzzing with the delight of Cory’s surprise visit, I call out, “Welcome in!” before glancing up.
“You’re unexpectedly chipper.”
I straighten and fight back a blush when my gaze meets Hunter’s across the counter this time.
“Here I thought I was coming to try and cheer you up by taking you to lunch. Maybe even willingly playing another riveting game of confessions of a mess.”
He has one hand shoved into the pocket of his designer slacks. Today he wears a light-blue button-down, the sleeves rolled up to expose his tanned forearms, and a matching tie with black stripes, his brown, wavy hair lightly styled away from his face but still partly covering his reconstructed ear. I can see the green glinting in his hazel eyes even from behind the counter. He looks urbane and ridiculously handsome and a little nervous. My heart does a lurch-flop in my chest, as though it isn’t quite sure how to beat normally in his presence.
“My brother is here,” I say, half warning, half announcement.
“You have a brother?” Hunter is surprised.
“Two, actually.”
“Oh ... that’s great news.” He swallows. “Two protective brothers to deal with. Excellent.”
My face warms at Hunter’s comment, but I choose not to address it. “You came to take me to lunch?”
A small flicker of a smile touches the corners of his full lips. “I did.”
“Isn’t that like ... a date?”
“In some social circles, one might call it that.”
“What about inyoursocial circles?”
“Yes, Liv, I’m asking you on a date.”
