“Where should I put this?” I lift the boxes slightly higher.
Alexandra turns to see what I have, and shifts her head from side to side. “Um, the table?”
I glance over at the table, but don’t see any empty spaces. “Pull out a couple of chairs.”
She does it and takes a step back. “I don’t know why I didn’t think about putting them in the chairs. There isn’t a ton of available space in here.”
“Yeah, that was always an issue when Beau lived here. Though he left as soon as he could.”
“Oh, you knew the people who owned this house?” She taps the top of her head as if that was a dumb question. “Of course you did. This is one of those towns where everyone knows everyone.”
“Hey, don’t knock the community. You never know when you might need help from someone in town.” I set the boxes down and turn toward her. “But yeah, I knew the family. Well, know, them. Beau is dating my sister. But his parents were crappy so we didn’t come over here all that much when we were kids. He spent most of his time at our house.”
She makes a face at me and scoffs. “So, your sister is dating someone she’s known practically her whole life? That’s weird.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Yes, they’ve been best friends for a really long time. There were sparks from day one, but both of them were too stubborn to do anything about it until recently.”
“Still weird.” She shakes her and leaves the kitchen.
“You’ll have to forgive her rudeness.” Callie comes into the kitchen and stands as far away from me as possible. Do I smell or something? Considering she was by mine and Miles’s side our entire childhood, this distance feels odd. “She seems to have forgotten how she was raised.”
“Teens will be teens…I guess.” Not that I would know. I’m really not around that many teenagers unless one of my siblings finds a way to drag me to one their friends’ get togethers.
“Yeah, it’s definitely been an adjustment. Most days I don’t know which version of Lexi I’m going to get.” A small smile tugs at the corner of her mouth. “Thank you for helping today.”
“It’s not a problem. If I didn’t come here, I probably would have found something to do at the winery. It’s gotten busy since Piper has taken over all social media for us. Plus, she’s putting together these events with Paula.”
Dear God, I’m rambling. So, I say the wrong thing, give unsolicited advice, or talk for long periods of time when I’m around her. What is wrong with me?
“It’s good to hear that. I’m sure your grandparents are proud.”
“They, uh, passed away a few years ago.”
“Shit. I’m sorry.” Her eyes move to floor. “I didn’t realize. Guess I’ve done a shitty job of keeping up with everyone here.”
The way she says it makes my heart hurt. Like she’s beating herself up for not knowing what’s going on in my life. “It’s okay. It’s not like you’ve been around. You had a life you were living.”
She snorts at the comment. “If you want to call it that.”
Nope. I’m not going to open that can of worms. This is the year I’m focusing on myself. I can’t jump into the problems of a pretty woman I once knew. I’m not sure how long she’s been divorced, but it sounds like the wounds are still fresh.
Though, I figured Miles would have mentioned it at some point. Unless they have those super tight secrets most siblings have. There are things about some of my brothers I wish I never knew.
“Is whatever happened why you moved back?” So much for not sticking my nose where it belongs.
“In part, but I don’t really want to talk about it.”
The relief that floods through me probably doesn’t speak well of me as a person, but I don’t like heavy topics. I’m the person who gets things done and does what people tell me. Which is one of the things Piper wants me to work on. This would be a great opportunity for it, but I don’t have the energy for it.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. “It looks like Eric is almost here. I’ll meet him outside so he doesn’t snoop too much.”
“It’s fine. Your idea about bringing his kids around is a good one. I might as well meet him with you.”
She heads toward the entryway ahead of me and I follow her. She doesn’t grab a jacket or anything despite the cold. Little does she know, Eric is a yapper. I shrug out of my jacket and carry it with me as I follow her out of the house.
Eric is pulling into the driveway as we meet the end of the sidewalk. Before Callie has a chance to argue, I slide my jacket over her shoulders.
“I don’t really need this. We aren’t going to be out here that long…are we?”
