Page 114 of Shortcake
Literally froze mid-step. And my stomach sank.
His brows dipped slightly, the corners of his mouth turning down.
He didn’t look happy or excited to get me alone before work. He looked… I don’t know…terrified.
Eyes falling to my lips and still standing on the stairs, he reached out and took the mug from my hands. Heat swirled low in my stomach as his fingers drifted gently over mine, sending a current of electricity pulsing up my arm.
With that light touch, the look of terror in his eyes vanished. With easy, quiet steps, he descended the rest of the staircase, sweeping around the banister, his eyes molten hot as he scooped a hand behind my neck and pulled me in for a kiss. Then, in a graveled, morning-rough voice he said, “I really do have to leave for work. But thank you for the morning… coffee.”
Butterflies erupted in my belly at the memory of that kiss.
That kiss gave me hope.
Hope that he was just busy, overworked, and tired.
And maybe he was just uncomfortable because he still hadn’t told Harper about us. And he was getting weird about it.
And now, I sat in my basement bedroom with nothing to do on my day off. The sounds of circular saws, hammering, and drilling were deafening, coming from the garage. It had taken them a few weeks to get to it, but the crew had finally begun working on repairing the fire damage in my apartment. The exterminator had come and gone and gotten rid of the mice… that’s what he said, anyway. And an inspection had confirmed it.
Conrad did not mess around when it came to safety. Which was probably why it was so surprising that the fire happened in the first place.
Bang!I jumped, nearly spilling my glass of water at the sound of a nail gun going off.
On one hand, I was looking forward to having my apartment back. But on the other, I was going to miss living here with Conrad and Harper. Cooking meals together. Watching movies. Grilling out.
Bang, bang!
And I couldn’t help that little itching concern as to why the crew was here, starting on a Sunday. In my entire life I had never seen a crew work Sundays. Saturdays? Sometimes.
Did Conrad want me out of his house?
Bang!
God, I needed to get away from this construction. I was already on edge with Conrad this week. The sounds of housework were only adding to my jumpiness.
Unfortunately, Haylee was on a date with Finn and Enzo was working overtime on some new startup app.
So that left me here, staring at the blinking cursor in my messenger app open on my laptop while the deafening song of construction equipment serenaded me and my sister, Hope’s profile picture, stared back at me. Mocking me.
All I had to do was start typing. Say hello. Introduce myself.
It didn’t have to be such a big fucking deal.
So why was my heart pounding like a goddamn racehorse’s hooves against dirt?
If Conrad could talk to his daughter about us? Then I could send a five-sentence email and get to know my sister.
Half-sister.
Okay, but he hasn’t talked to Harper yet, I reasoned with myself. When he talks to Harper, then I’ll message Hope.
Feeling satisfied, I clamped my hand over the laptop, ready to shut it. But my next thought halted the movement.
Maybe if I messaged Hope first, it would help Conrad gain the courage to talk with his daughter.
Closing my eyes, I inhaled slowly to the count of three, then opened my eyes and typedHey. I’m Addy. Your sister.
I stared at those words.
