Page 40 of Healing You
“Oh, my God, Steve, thank you. He's been unbearable this week.”
“When you have to stick needles into dogs—even aggressive ones—you learn some tricks.” He paused, looking around the sidewalk outside the cafe. “Is Yvonne coming?”
“Yeah, she texted me that she's running a little behind. Got held up.”
He nodded, gesturing to the door of the diner. “You guys take your time. But tell her I'll be waiting inside.”
He waved goodbye to Lila and pulled out a small envelope with Yvonne's name scribbled on the front. Excitement surged through his body and he couldn't wait to see her face when she opened it. As he was about to slide into a booth, he caught the eyes of his little sisters Ronnie and Callie sitting across from Lydia. His youngest sister, Callie's blond hair hung straight down past her tanned shoulders, and she and Lydia were gesturing wildly, giggling and looking through magazines spread out on the table. Ronnie, on the other hand, looked like she was about to pull the fire alarm and rush out the back door. Her mouth pushed into a firm, straight line, and those bright blue eyes that so beautifully contrasted with her olive skin and dark hair widened. He knew that look... he knew it back in high school when she was cornered at the dance by a guy she didn't want to be near. He knew it when their mom would question her about who she was dating and she needed an escape. And he knew it now.
“How are my three favorite sisters doing?” he asked, interrupting the girlie chatter.
Ronnie jumped to her feet, crushing him in a hug. “Steve!” Ronnie was the middle child and owned a gym in town that specialized in cross-fit. She was all lean, sculpted muscle—and currently damn near cutting off his windpipe. Pulling back, she braced her hands on his shoulders, her eyes wild and wide. “We're choosing dresses for the engagement party next weekend. Apparently, I'm a winter. A cool-toned girl.” She looked more disgusted than if you had told her she had to spread mud all over her body and go to the party like that. Then again, knowing Ronnie, she was probably more comfortable wearing mud than a frilly dress someone else chose for her.
Callie stood up, giving Steve a quick kiss on the cheek and taking one of the magazines with her. She shoved it under his nose. “See? We took the quiz. I'm a summer tone—pinks and teals and bright colors work for me. Lydia's autumn... neutrals, oranges and yellows.”
Lydia looked up at him with a shrug. “It's silly, but fun.”
“Super fun,” Ronnie said, crossing her eyes while facing Steve so the other two couldn't see her.
Callie smacked the magazine onto the table. “It's really accurate, too. That's why Ronnie's colors are blues and lavenders. Winter—cold, like her heart and sense of fun.” She leaned in toward her older sister's ear. “There's a mirror behind Steve, Ronnie. I can see all your faces.”
“Can you see this?” Ronnie flipped the bird at the mirror.
Lydia cleared her throat. “Hey, Ronnie... I was thinking that I'd love to taste some of Lex's cakes and maybe do a pastry table for the engagement party? I know decorations and dresses aren't really your thing... do you want to be my point person for the food?” Lydia jerked a hand up, pointing in her soon to be sister-in-law's face. “But, they can not be gluten free!”
Lydia gave Steve a quick wink. Why that little schemer. She knew just like he did that Lex and Ronnie had something going on between them.
“I'm happy to help with whatever you need me to,” Ronnie said nonchalantly.
“Hey,” Steve said, teasing her, “if you're too busy, I could swing by Lex's now and ask—”
“No, no, I got it,” she cut in, quickly.
“That would be so helpful.” Lydia scribbled notes into a three-ring binder with at least half a dozen tabs. Good God, was she planning a wedding or handling international weapons trading?
Ronnie grabbed her tote bag.
“Steve, are you planning to bring a date next weekend?” Lydia asked. His gaze traveled out the window to where Yvonne had met up with Lila and was giving her pointers on Benny.
Callie snorted and quietly muttered, “Yeah, right.”
“Actually...” he said, and all three women jerked their gazes to his.
Lydia's smile widened, a knowing expression settling on her face. “I'll mark your plus one as a maybe. Let me know for sure by end of the weekend?”
Steve nodded. “Sure thing.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa... what did I miss? Who are you dating?” Callie looked around the cafe as though his mystery date were hiding at one of the other tables.
Ronnie's eyes also narrowed, but instead of looking elsewhere, her gaze seared right into Steve. “Yeah... who are you dating?”
Steve suppressed a groan as Yvonne entered the cafe and Callie, Ronnie, and Lydia's eyes all drifted to the doorway.
Callie gaped, slapping Steve's shoulder. “No way!” she whispered—only it may as well had been a shout, it was so damn loud.
“No,” Ronnie said, her voice like a steel blade and just as deadly. “Not her, Steve. Please tell me you're not this stupid.”
He'd always been close to Ronnie, despite her hard outer shell. It wasn't easy to break down, but once it cracked, the whole surface crumbled to reveal a mushy interior. But despite their closeness, he rumbled a warning. “Easy, Ronnie. Don't say anything that I won't be able to un-hear.”
