Inside, I’m brimming with enthusiasm but I try to tone it down. “Great.”
Vance sweeps his shirt from a nearby rock and tugs it over his head while I try not to stare at his abs, his pecs, his everything really. He grabs his books and we hoist our sneakers from the sand. I swing mine all the way back to the car, unable to keep how thrilled I am under wraps.
“I’ll see you in the morning then,” he says as we part. The amusement that lights his face isn’t lost on me.
“What?”
He walks backwards, mouth curving high on one side. “You’re enjoying this a little too much.”
“Enjoying what?” I protest with a straight face. “I haven’t done anything yet.”
“Exactly.”
Then he pivots and stalks off, as only Vance Davenport knows how to stalk—sexy and damn near arresting—oozing everything I know I shouldn’t want.
But in this moment, I can’t think of anything I want more.
I THROW ON a Mickey Mouse tank with a pair of cutoff jean shorts and stand in front of the full-length mirror, wondering what Vance Davenport thinks about me. I’m not entirely sure why I care. I just know that I do.
Avery’s voice startles me from behind. “Well, well. Only ten minutes in the shower. What gives, sister dear?” She’s leaning against the doorframe with her arms poised across her chest, one wicked brow scrutinizing me.
“Nothing. I’m just….” I let out a breath and turn around to face her all-knowing smile. “Vance is coming over and I’m going to sculpt him.”
Her eyes spring open. “He’s letting you do that? Wow.”
“I know, right. I’m kind of taken aback myself.” I shift to face the mirror again, running a comb through my wet hair.
“I’ve always been so jealous of you.” Avery’s gaze meets mine in the glass and I blink. Her comment doesn’t quite register. “I’ve always been jealous of the fact that you’re so comfortable in your own skin. That I always felt like I had to try so hard, when you didn’t worry about trying at all.” Her melancholy expression is as unexpected as her next words. “You always thought you were ordinary. When in fact, you’re anything but.”
Her gaze drifts to a picture of us on the wall. “You’re just so… you,” she admits, her eyes coming back to mine. “And you’re essential to me. Almost like air,” she adds. For a second I wonder if she’s kidding, but there isn’t a hint of teasing in her voice. “I love you. And… I admire you, Ember. I always have. I just wanted you to know that.”
Stunned, my hand flies to my chest and I whirl around to reply but she’s already gone. I’ve never seen my sister like that before. Most of the time when she feels something it’s concealed, like the world would end if she let someone know there was a thing called emotion.
“Hi, sweetie.” My mother walks by as I’m still trying to process Avery’s words.
“Hi, Mom. Wait.” I step into the hallway to catch her. “Are you all right? What I mean is, I’ve barely seen you at all. And you haven’t been around for our Wednesday dinners.”
“Oh.” She runs a hand over her hair to smooth it down. “Well, we signed a huge contract for a new residential renovation in Portland so that’s underway. Plus, I’ve received a few referrals as well.”
“That’s great, then.” I think.
She checks her watch and holds her portfolio snug against her chest. “Okay, I have to run.” She glances at the time again. “I’ll probably be home late tonight, but I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Frazzled doesn’t enter into the equation where Mom is concerned, and something nags at me. “Mom, are you sure everything is okay?”
“Yes, yes. It’s great, sweetie. I’m just running behind is all,” she calls back as she trots downstairs in her navy blue suit and matching heels. She opens the door and runs right into Vance. “Hello.”
“Hi. You must be Mrs. Bennett? I’m Vance, a friend of Ember’s.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, Vance.” Mom sends me a rushed smile and then she’s gone, leaving my head spinning with questions.
“What’s wrong?” Vance asks as I come down the stairs. I wish I had an answer.
I throw my hands up then slap them against the side of my legs. “I have no idea. It’s like the twilight zone around here this morning.”
“Not to worry. I’m here now.” He proudly holds up two cups and a bag. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee spills into the air and I smile. “And I come bearing sustenance.”
I sniff a few times and Vance grins. “I smell… blueberries and amazing coffee?”
“Close, Mickey. Very close.”
Dipping my nose down, I inhale again. “Boysenberry?”
“Got it on the second try.” He passes me a coffee and holds out the open bag. “Not bad.”
“I got the coffee right,” I tease, desperate for my first sip of the day. As the warm taste of hazelnut floods my mouth, I dig my fingers into the bag to pull out a clump of muffin.