Page 19 of Inherited Light
“How did you find out we had a date? I didn’t tell you on purpose.”
She shrugged. “We share a father, remember.”
I groaned. “I was afraid one of them would say something.”
She crossed her arms in front of her. “You didn’t want me to know you were taking Cat out?”
I sighed. “I didn’t, but only for now. I didn’t want you to worry I would ruin your newly rediscovered friendship while you were recovering. I took her to dinner at Coronado’s Cantina; we shared a beautiful plate of tamales and a few palomas and then I took her home. We had a nice time,” I answered, hoping it would be enough, but no way would Cinn let it go with such a minor recounting.
“And?” she asked, rolling her hands to get me to talk more.
In turn, I rolled my eyes to the ceiling. “And I’m headed over there now because I left my toolbox on her deck last night.”
She moved her hand around in a circle between us. “Is that a euphemism…or?”
I laughed. “No, I left my literal toolbox, Cinn. I took it out of the BMW to repair a loose board on her ramp and left it there.”
Her eyes sparked somewhere in the depth of the fatigue filling them. “Oh, now you have a reason to return. The plot thickens,” she said, lowering her brows as if this was all some mysterious act of the universe.
“No, I already had plans to see her because she asked me to go over the outside of her house to decide what needs immediate repair and what can wait. I’ll grab the toolbox while I’m there.”
Her expression changed from fun loving to leery. “It sounds to me like you’re jumping in with both feet, Lorenzo. Have you taken time to think this out?”
“Have you been talking to Dad?” I asked in kind and she put her hands up.
“No, we talked about you taking Catalina out, but nothing else. What’s wrong with Dad?” she asked, her tone hurt. I could feel how at a loss she was, but I didn’t know a way to make her feel better.
“Nothing, but he thinks she’s too old for me. Regardless, I need to help her with the ramp. I tripped on a board going up it last night and had to repair the board before I could get her out of the house. I promise not to get in too deep.” I did the Scout’s honor thing, but she rolled her eyes at me.
“I get the feeling it’s already too late.”
“I’m helping a friend,” I said, and that was all I said. “Why didn’t you tell me she had her own gallery here in town?”
She cocked her head to the left. “You’ve lived here your whole life. I never dreamed you didn’t know. She’s very successful.”
I shook my head. “She told me she sells her paintings, but I pictured it more in a hobby type setting. I mean, it’s cool she does it for a living, but I was surprised. She invited me to the gallery showing tomorrow night.”
“Oh, and the plot thickens,” she said in her mysterious tone again.
I shoved her gently in the shoulder and sighed heavily. “Sisters.”
She leaned back against the couch. “I would go if I were you. Foster and I will be there if I’m feeling up to it. She’s terrifyingly brilliant as an artist. You’ll feel like a complete loser when you view what she does with a pencil.”
“Says the musical genius,” I laughed and she chuckled.
“I guess we all have our own talents. Like you, for instance, with wood.”
I gazed down at my hands to avoid eye contact. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course, Lorenzo,” she said leaning forward and putting her hand on mine. “Is something wrong?”
“Not wrong as much as I’m trying to sort some things out and I need to know if I’m being selfish or immature.”
“I doubt that’s the case, but ask away,” she answered and I smiled a little. She always had my back.
“It’s about what I’ll do after I finish the shelter job,” I explained. “Dad is pressuring me to get a job with a big company.”
“But you aren’t interested in working for a big company?” she asked and my silence alone was enough of an answer. “Lorenzo, it’s your life, if you don’t want to work for a company then don’t.”
