Right before three o’clock, Billie knocks on the back door, letting herself in a moment later, but not removing her shoes like she usually does. “Hey. We’re done early, and we need to let a few things set and dry before we can move on, so, uh, I can go home and come back later, or…”
I stand from my spot at the kitchen island, where I was going over more numbers for the marina proposal. “Is everyone gone already?”
“Uh-huh.”
I quicken my steps toward her and pull her in by her waist. “And do youneedto go home for anything?”
“Not really, no.”
I smile and lean down to catch her lips in a quick kiss. “Then why would you leave, darling?” I drop to my knees and start to pull off her boot.
“Well, I need a shower.” She doesn’t fight me as I move on to the next foot. “And I’m getting hungry.”
I chuckle, straightening and taking her hand in mine as she closes the door. “What do you feel like eating?”
“Do you have any Nutella?”
“Of course I do.” I reluctantly release her, walking to the pantry to get her what she wants. When I round the corner, she’s got a half-peeled banana in one hand and a butter knife in the other.
“Come to Mama,” she whispers as I open the jar for her. I love how much she loves to eat. When she remembers to do it, that is.
“What—” My question dies in my mouth as she starts to spread the Nutella on the banana and takes a bite of it, humming her appreciation. My grin is so big, it makes my cheeks hurt. “I love y—your weird little quirks.”
She slathers more Nutella on the banana and pumps her eyebrows as I push away the inappropriate words that were about to fly out of my mouth. “Oh, I know. I’m an endearing, quirky weirdo.”
I nod, swallowing down the heavy emotions building up too quickly for me to ignore.
CHAPTER 31
WE DO NOT EYE-FUCK. WE FUCK FUCK.
BILLIE
It’s girls’ night, and Neve is hosting, which means the snacks will be impressive. Not that I don’t have good stuff when I host, but she’s way more organized than I am. Plus, she makes everything look so pretty. And her sister is in charge of drink ingredients, which I’m sure will be delicious and probably sweet.
I walk in her front door, following the sound of her and Georgia talking. I’m in charge of dessert tonight, and I have everything we need to make epic ice cream sundaes.
“There she is,” Neve greets me with a quick hug, careful not to spill her glass of whatever the pink concoction is.
“Hi.” I drop my bag on the counter and start emptying it with the things that need to go in the fridge and freezer. “How’s it going, G?” I give her a high-five across the kitchen island.
“Pretty great, thanks.” There’s a lightness to her voice I haven’t heard in a long time, and it stops me in my tracks.
“That’s awesome, baby Ross. What’s so great? Spill the beans.” I rest my elbows on the counter, giving her my full attention as Neve puts away everything I splayed out.
“I guess I’m feeling like… I’m doing something I enjoy, and I think I’m pretty good at it, too.” Her eyes go to Neve before lowering them back to her drink.
“Oh, you most certainly are, Georgie.” My bestie is next to me, handing me a glass of the slushy drinks they’ve both started on. “Try this. Georgia made it.”
“Thanks, sis.” Georgia watches as I take the first tentative sip, which turns into a healthy gulp, because, holy moly, this is delicious. She giggles as I give her a thumbs-up.
“G is changing my life, Billie. She’s learned so much in the last few weeks, and I already don’t know what I’m going to do without her in the fall.” Neve pouts at her sister.
“Well, you might not have to find out. If you’re serious, and you’re willing to keep me on, that is.” It’s Georgia’s turn to take a big gulp of her drink as she waits for Neve to process her admission.
“Wait, you’re not going back to teaching?” I’m the one to ask the question we obviously need answered here.
“I don’t think so, no.” There’s so much guilt in her voice, and I have no doubt she’s been thinking about this a hell of a lot longer than this summer. I grew up around the Ross family, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s Georgia isnotspontaneous. It took her two months to name her favorite stuffed bear because she wanted to “make sure the name matched its personality.” She was seven. The bear’s name is Theodore, and she still has him.
