Page 48 of Just Like Starting Over
And I am on fire. I clench my hands in the front pockets of my jeans, hoping they disguise an unavoidable truth, and follow her. When we catch up to Rupert and Sierra, the older man bites back a smile, proof that he hasn’t missed a thing. Sierra has another round of questions, and the distraction is more than welcome.
I try to think of something else. Like the fact that she didn’t go to art school after all. I won’t hate Luke for making her choose between his child and her ambitions – oh, wait, maybe I will. The irony, of course, is that if I’d known that back in the day, I might be married now.
Lauren was not enthusiastic about going to the student exhibit at the art college the first time. The second year, when we were engaged, and she figured out why I wanted to go there, we argued in the car the whole way back to Guelph. We broke up that night and went our separate ways. I’ve been sad about it sometimes, but seeing Sylvia again makes me think Lauren had it right.
We spend a good hour in the greenhouse then Rupert invites us to have lemonade on the porch with him, along with some ginger snap cookies he’s made. Sierra helps set everything out, undoubtedly exploring much of his kitchen, if not his house. Sylvia checks her watch, reminding Sierra that she has to catch the bus in Havelock soon, and we leave reluctantly.
I give Rupert my thanks and get another hug. He tells us all to come whenever we want, and we get back in the truck. It’s Sunday, but I send a text to that greenhouse rep so that things can start to happen on Monday.
“Cool,” Sierra announces when we turn onto the road. She pivots around to wave at Rupert. “I like him.”
“Lovely man,” Sylvia adds and I’m glad they all got along.
“Do you think he’s lonely?”
“I don’t know. He has told me that he misses his wife.” Sierra peers at me, her brow furrowed in her concern for Rupert. I add a bit more. “His daughter comes for the holidays and during the summer with her kids, too.”
“But he hugs you.”
“Yeah.” I shake my head. “That took some getting used to.”
“You’re not used to it yet.”
I shake my head again.
She’s watching me intently and I have to think that very little slips past her. “Doesn’t your dad hug you?”
The idea is so absurd that I almost smile. “No.”
She seems dissatisfied with this answer but pivots to look back at Rupert’s house. I catch Sylvia’s gaze and she smiles at me, the secretive sexy little smile that makes sure I don’t forget that single word.
You.
I could heat a couple of greenhouses all winter long on my reaction to that word alone.
Sierra is busy on her phone so I just drive, savoring the smell of the wind off the lake and the cool breeze flowing through the truck. This afternoon feels like an interval stolen in time, and despite myself, I’m already making lists of what has to be done in the greenhouses this week, as well as anticipating Dad’s reaction to my absence today.
It was totally worth it, though.
I park in front of the café, wishing this day wouldn’t end, wishing there was a way I could stay with Sylvia without sounding pushy.
“Thanks, Mike!” Sierra says, and they both get out of thetruck. I’m shocked that she almost gives me a hug, but she rethinks it in the last moment and backs away. “That was good research.”
“Glad you liked it, and Rupert.”
“What happens next?”
“I’ll talk to some people about the greenhouse and report in when you’re here next weekend.”
“Okay.” Her smile is brilliant. “Thanks!” She turns toward Sylvia’s car, engrossed in her phone once again. The reception is better in Empire than at Rupert’s. I feel Sylvia come to stand beside me and don’t move a muscle. This is the part I want to go on forever.
“Do you know anyone renting out a house or apartment in town?” Sylvia asks, reminding me of Sierra’s need for space.
“Dad owns pretty much everything that’s empty in town and he doesn’t rent it out,” I say, then remember. “Wait. Luke bought the diner and some house from him. Maybe…”
She shakes her head. “That was Una’s house. Luke gave it back to her.”
And there he is again. My half-brother is completely inescapable when it comes to Sylvia. I don’t say anything, because I don’t want to sound like a jealous dick, but it would be fine if Luke stayed out of our conversations for once.
