Page 214 of How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother
Annoying.
Irritating.
Presumptuous.
Sexy.
That last thought pops into my head unbidden for the second time since I’ve arrived, and I shove it aside.Again.I’m here as a professional. Remaking my career onmyterms. Fraternizing with the enemy isnoton the table.
But that doesn’t stop me from wanting to eat his food.
There are at least a dozen things on Lennox’s menu that I would love to sample, but after his snarky invitation to have dinner on him, I’m going to hold off as long as humanly possible. I definitely couldn’t give him the satisfaction of going in last night. Mature of me, I know, but I am the one hiding in a pantry right now, so maybe maturity isn’t really my thing.
In the end, I drove to the grocery store, stocked up on the basics, and went home too tired to cook but happy to have a bowl of cereal before collapsing into bed. Not exactly the dinnerof champions, but it tasted better than humble pie, so I’m not complaining.
My phone buzzes with a text, and I pull it out of my pocket, smiling when I see the message from my older sister.
Bree:Hey! Did you make it? Are you safe?
My sister and brother are eight and ten years older than me, so we’ve never been particularly close. They were mostly grown and out of the house when Dad’s fame really took off, so in most ways, it feels like Dad lived two lives. One with Mom and Bree and Daniel, and one with his fame . . . and me.
But lately, I’ve been texting Bree more. Mostly since deciding to quit Dad’s restaurant and move to the other side of the continent. When I called to let her know my plans and ask if I could stop in St. Louis to see her on my drive across the country, she cheered like I’d just told her I won the lottery.
“It’s about time you get out from under his thumb,” she said. “He’s been using you for too long, Tatum. I’m so proud of you.”
Her words gave me pause. Was that really how my sister saw my life? Like Dad has been using me? She probably just doesn’t understand. Because we share the same profession, my relationship with Dad probably looks different to people on the outside. But we have something special.
Or, wedidhave something special.
Until I panicked and fled and moved myself across the country. But who’s keeping score?
In the time it takes to pull up and read Bree’s message, two more pop up.
Bree:I want to hear all about the farm. Do you love it? What do you think?
Bree:Also, did you see this Instagram post yesterday?
A screenshot pops up of a post [email protected] photo features a bandana-wearing goat—the very same one Toby chased around Lennox’s kitchen yesterday. The caption reads:Penelope’s regular Tuesday: a stroll to the on-site restaurant to say hello, a slightly scary dog chase, and a midday snack with the chef. #specialprivileges
The fact that Tyler heard about the dog chase makes my stomach tighten. I have to hope it was Olivia who filled her husband in, and not Lennox. Somehow, Lennox telling an embarrassing story about me—or my dog—feels so much worse.
Before I can respond, yet another text pops up. I’m beginning to expect these one-sided conversations, and that thought makes me happy. I like that my sister has enough confidence in our relationship that she’ll bombard me with messages even if I don’t respond.
Bree:When I read dog chase, I wondered if it was Toby. Please tell me it was. I want your dog to have chased the world’s most famous goat!
I glance at the like count on the post. It’s already over a million, and it can’t be more than twenty-four hours old. Penelope probablyisthe world’s most famous goat, which,admittedly, makes Lennox mentioning her by name yesterday a little less weird.
Tatum:It was Toby. He deserved one very serious timeout.
Bree:Um, HELLO. You should put him in timeout and post a picture! And tag Tyler. I bet he would share! Toby could become internet famous too! He totally has the look for it.
My older sister has a degree in social media marketing, so this is not a surprising suggestion from her. I spent two nights crashing on her sofa on my trip out, and she walked me through an entire plan she created for launching myownbrand without the overshadowing influence of Christopher Elliott.
I appreciate her efforts, but I’m beginning to think I’ll like my life a lot better when people forget Christopher Elliott even has a daughter. I always thought I wanted Dad’s life. The TV show. The branding deals. But now? I’m not so sure.
Tatum:I don’t want my dog to be internet famous. Also, I think it’s weird that you know so much about Lennox’s family.
Bree:I only know a lot aboutTyler.And only because of Penelope. You know how I feel about adorable animals on the internet.
