Page 8 of Heartless Pucker in Love

“Your lapses into immaturity amuses me,” came an amused voice from the living room.

I giggled and hurried through the foyer to give our older sister Tessa a peck on the cheek. Her dimpled grin was affectionate and her whiskey-colored eyes swam with laughter. Mine and Cass’s little spats were in good fun but Tessa was right, we did sound like kindergartners sometimes. “Well, I did promise Ruby to fill in for her by giving Cass a hard time so…”

Tessa snickered. “You didn’t.”

“I really did. Someone has to do the job until she gets back.” If she ever came back... Our youngest sister, Ruby, had fled Oakland to attend college and, by the sound of it, she was having a good time in Chicago. She might just ditch Oakland for good after graduating.

“Ruby is the real brat out of all of us if you ask me,” Cass huffed before flopping down on a sofa. “So, April, like I was saying before, Julian is back in town.” Her eyes narrowed. “Did you know and kept it a secret? Did you two secretly hook up?”

I threw my arms up. Me and Julian? “Why would you even think that?”

“Didn’t you two…” Tessa lifted a brow. “You went to prom together.” Her lips twitched, and I glowered at her. “And you did miss curfew that night.” Tessa too wiggled her eyebrows. It was so unlike her to participate in Cass’ foolishness.

I harrumphed, and the tips of my shoes suddenly became interesting. Okay, maybe they had every right to think that Julian and I hooked up back in the day. I’d never shared with any of my sisters how volatile my relationship with him was. The only thing they knew was that he’d invited me to prom, and I’d been so excited. They had no idea what happened that evening. I was too ashamed to share my humiliation or where I really spent prom night. They weren’t allowed to know how pathetic my high school years really were.

“We didn’t hook up on prom night so drop it you two.”

Tessa’s teasing smile faded. “You okay?”

“Fine. Are we going to have breakfast or what?” With that, I stomped to the kitchen.

I heard Cass say, “Huh, she must be on her period. She’s usually so Zen.”

Gritting my teeth, I pretended not to hear. She was right. I normally wouldn’t get riled up this easily…I guess it only happened when Julian was in the same zip code.

He completely ruined breakfast with my sisters. Each time I tried to engage in conversation, there was Julian, invading my thoughts. I kept seeing him on that hospital bed asking me for a hug and pretty much implying that he found me attractive. Each time I had to remind myself that his judgment had been severely clouded by medication. Julian finding me attractive...was laughable. How many times during our verbal battles had he blatantly let me know I was the furthest from his type?

After all of the hurt feelings and his stupid prank, there I was, allowing him back into my head, under my skin. For years, I’d harbored a sick secret crush on the guy who I declared was my public enemy number one since we were kids. Maybe I needed therapy...

* * *

I peered at the huge two-story yellow and white house I’d just parked in front of. Wait, I knew this house looked familiar. Faye Grayson had moved here a few years back when her grandson was sent to live with her. Plus, her son had reached millionaire status so he’d brought it for her. Her dream house. I vaguely recalled her sharing the story at the hair salon. The salon was a hot spot for gossip and discussing others’ business.

“This is her place,” I whispered.

My jaw dropped as I made the connection. “Oh, no.” My new client must be Julian. “Crap!”

I slammed a palm against the steering wheel. It was my fault for accepting the job without even asking for a name. Janice had said she’d let her know I was coming today. Faye must have been the one to make the arrangements, not Julian. Did he know she’d hired me?

The temptation to drive away in a squeal of tires and smoke was almost overwhelming. But alas, professionalism won. The least I could do was go inside and tell Faye I couldn’t accept the job. She’d have questions, but I’d come up with an excuse.

Groaning, I grabbed my bag with all of my medical supplies. Trudging to the front door, I straightened my scrubs and began fiddling with my moonstone necklace. I rang the doorbell as if I was pressing a button to my death sentence.

“Get yourself together, April,” I hissed. At twenty-eight, I shouldn’t be stuck on high school and Julian. “I’m an adult. He has no effect on me whatsoever.” I told myself that yet, my heart rate was fast enough to possibly throw me into cardiac arrest and my palms were sweaty.

The door opened. My gaze traveled downwards to take in a blonde head and sea-green eyes. The boyish face lit up. “Miss April.”

I wanted to smile at the title. I hadn’t seen Andy in a few months, so I was surprised by how tall he’d gotten. “Hey, Andy.” I gazed at the child, a little frightened by how much he resembled his uncle, from the wicked smirk down to the charming aura.

He crossed his arms, hooked his ankles, and leaned against the door. I pursed my lips to hide my amusement. Andy trying to look suave was hilarious. “So, you’re Uncle Julian’s nurse? Man, he’s so lucky.” One corner of his lips hiked further up. “I’m thinking about breaking a leg or something to get you as my private nurse.”

I fought back laughter. “Laying it on a little thick there, aren’t you Andrew?”

His grin faltered. “Hey, don't knock the idea of us just yet, Miss April. I’ll be eighteen in six years.”

I had to sink my teeth into my lip to keep a straight face. He told me the same thing last year when he came into the emergency room with a high fever. Then it had been seven years. “Still counting down, huh? Well, when that day comes, we’ll see how it goes, okay? And please, don’t break any body parts.”

Andy’s cheeks took on a pink hue. Seemingly satisfied, he stepped aside. “Come in.”

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