“Why would I do that?” My face snaps up to meet hers, my shoulders squared.
“You seemed… That town hit you differently. You seemed happy there—relaxed.” Viv leans forward, emphasizing her words.
“Well, yes, Viv, we were on vacation. Of course I was relaxed and happy!”And the view of the lake every morning, the sounds of nature, the welcoming community, weren’t too bad either.“I’m happyheretoo.” I pull at the curling fabric surface of the mouse pad.
“Are you though?”
No.
My face when I look at her must convey that this conversation isn’t one I’m interested in continuing.
“Okay.” She holds her hands up. “All I’m saying is I think you have options. You can do your part of the work from”—her hands sweep out—“anywhere.”
“I think you’re trying to get rid of me.”
“No, babe. I just want you to be happy.” Viv stands, stares at me long enough to allow her words to sink in, and then walks out, closing the door behind her.
I stare after the closed door, her words tumbling through my mind, when my phone buzzes with a notification. I move too fast to grab it, knocking it to the floor, where it flips and flops deep under my desk.
The Huffman House posted a photo.
I click the notification, and my breath catches when my screen fills with two familiar, unreasonably handsome faces. My eyes scan the image before becoming transfixed on one face in particular.
Make a wish.
I stare at the eyes that remind me of summer, and the lips I could easily kiss for hours on end that are stretched in a crooked smile. His hair looks like he just finished running his fingers through it, the way it’s pushed to the side. No doubt Holly had to persuade him to take this picture. Josh is hamming it up. He has a lazy smile on his face, his arm wrapped around Luke’s shoulder gripping it, appearing to tug Luke closer to him.
Meet the Huffman boys. The caption reads before launching into brief descriptions of each and their roles at the house.
My heart stutters as I scan the picture again. I click the heart and close my phone. Breathing deeply, I close my eyes and lean on my forearms.
His voice caresses my mind.
Make a wish.
Fifty-One
SHE HATES ME
Luke
“Did you see?” Holly’s voice trembles as she peers at me with wide eyes. The look on her face puts me on edge instantly.
“See what?” I ask.
Holly’s computer screen is awake, open to the Huffman House website linked through a travel site. Her eyes dart to me and then back to the screen before she scrolls to the newest review.
Reviewed by: XoChloeXo
The food was fine, pretty good, actually, if you like comfort food rather than high-end meals. The rooms were clean, and the beds were comfortable enough. The town was a little boring, with little to do besides small-towny shops, one winery, and some biking trails. Probably my favorite part of the whole experience was the sunset cruise that you can book for free if you’re staying at the bed-and-breakfast. Beware of the staff, though. One staff member in particular I caught kissing another guest. It was disgusting,highly unprofessional, and made me feel very uncomfortable thinking he’d come and try to hit on me next. Aside from that, it was a nice enough stay.
“Shit,” I mutter, reading over Holly’s shoulder. It’s been days. I’d hoped she’d let it go.
“What is she talking about?”
“Where’s Ma?” I ask, ignoring Holly’s question.
“In the kitchen, I think, preparing dinner. Luke, we’ve never gotten a review like this. I’m not sure what to do about it. Should I respond? I don’t even know what to say!” Holly is borderline frantic, her voice pitching higher with every word.
