Page 329 of How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother
To be fair, Jackisswimming—he and Perry’s wife Lila are outside by the pool with everyone else. Still, I know my family well enough to recognize their meddling for what it is.
It makes me itchy to know they’re all talking about me, worrying about me. At the same time, Idowish I got to spend more time with them, so I can’t really complain about them all coming over. Especially since they brought food. My brother Lennox and his wife, Tatum, both chefs, took over my kitchen the minute they arrived, setting out appetizers and commandeering the grill for what they swear are going to be the best hamburgers any of us have ever eaten.
I have to wonder what Audrey thinks about my family. Or if she’s even noticed the people for all the squirrels.
As I watch, Audrey stands and moves toward the sugar maple at the edge of the lawn. Conveniently, the squirrels have a nest somewhere in its branches, though Audrey told me it’s not all that uncommon for squirrels. Living closer to people means encountering fewer predators.
“She isn’t a complete stranger,” I say, finally answering Perry’s question. I got so distracted watching Audrey, I almost forgot he asked. “And I promise she’s harmless. I’m good at sniffing out people with ulterior motives, and she definitely doesn’t have one.”
“Just like you sniffed out Claire McKinsey’s ulterior motives?” Perry asks, his brows lifted.
I frown. Sometimes I hate how much my family knows about my life. “This is different. Audrey is nothing like Claire.”
“Did she grow up around here?” My sister Olivia leans backward in her chair so she can see Audrey through the window. “She doesn’t look familiar.”
“No clue,” I say. “But Joni checked her out. Verified all her credentials. She’s got a PhD. Publishing credits. She’s legit.”
“I’ve never seen a white squirrel,” Mom says as she walks over to lean on the counter. “I didn’t even know they existed.” She moves to the fridge and pulls out a water bottle, holding it out to me. “Here. Take this out to Audrey. She looks thirsty.” Her expression turns sly. “She might be hungry, too. Maybe you could invite her to join us for dinner.”
I take the water bottle but lift a finger in warning. “Mom? That’s not what this is.”
She shrugs. “It might be. How will you know if you don’t try?”
“Trust me. I know.”And it’s not for the lack of trying.“I am not that woman’s type—not by a mile.”
“It pains me to say this,” Olivia says, “but you’re Flint Hawthorne. Doesn’t that make you everyone’s type?” She bounces her daughter on her knee.
“Not hers,” I say. “She didn’t even know who I was the first time we met.” And she hasn’t been impressed with meanyof the times we’ve interacted.
“Well, that sounds perfect,” Mom says. “You don’t want someone who’s only interested in you for your celebrity. Maybe you’ve finally found the one woman on the planet who isn’t.”
I love the idea of a woman not into my fame, but no matter how I shake it, my fameisa part of the package. I’m working on making my private life more private, but the acting, the need to perform, the way I thrive in the spotlight—those characteristics are a part of what makes meme.And it seems in direct contrast to what might make a serious wildlife biologist interested in a relationship.
I move toward the patio door. “Please don’t make this a thing. It’s not a thing. She’s here for the squirrels. Period.”
I push outside and slide my sunglasses onto my face. I should have expected the matchmaking, especially from Mom. Audrey has a pulse, and she doesn’t live in California—as far as Mom is concerned, that’s all she needs to qualify.
I study Audrey as I approach, water bottle in hand. She’s back in her camp chair now, leaning over her notebook, her pen flying across the page. Her hair is pulled back into a simple ponytail, and her expression is serious. Focused.
She’s nothing like the women I’ve dated in the past, but she’s pretty in a simple, natural way that I appreciate. I once had a girlfriend explain to me that lookingeffortlessactually requires quite a bit of effort. Wearing just enough makeup, but not too much. Having hair that’s polished but still totally natural. But that’s not what’s happening with Audrey. I think her beauty reallyiseffortless—in a way that probably makes women who work a lot harder to get similar results feel irritated.
“Are you thirsty?” I say when I’m a few feet away.
Audrey looks up, and it takes a moment for her eyes to focus. “Oh,” she finally says. “Thank you. That’d be nice.”
I twist the top off the water bottle and hand it to her. My eyes trace her slender fingers, smudged with dirt and ink, as she wraps them around the bottle and takes a long drink. The only thing more distracting is the long curve of her neck as she swallows.
I clear my throat and look away. I havegotto get a hold of myself. “How’s the data collecting?” I ask, my voice a little too loud.
Audrey’s expression brightens. “Amazing. Incredible. I’ve identified a female and three younger squirrels I believe are her offspring and they’re—” Her words stop short, and she holds up her free hand. “Sorry. My sisters are always telling me hownot interestingmy research is. But things are good. Thanks again for letting me be here.” She looks over her shoulder and bites her lip. “Especially during a party.”
“It’s just my family,” I say. “Nothing fancy.”
“All these people are your family?”
I turn and look over the collection of people hanging out around the pool, then drop onto the grass beside her, extending my legs out in front of me and crossing my ankles. “The guy on the diving board, that’s my brother, Brody. He teaches chemistry over at the high school. And whitewater kayaking on the Green River during the summer.” I lift a hand and point to Kate who is lounging under an umbrella with their daughter, River. “That’s his wife, Kate, and their baby, River.” I look at Audrey and lift an eyebrow. “Yes, they did name their baby after the river, and no, none of us were surprised.”
She smiles, and the sight tugs at something deep in my gut. I was right. Her smileisgoing to be the end of me.
