Page 66 of Never Quiet

“Damn. I did not expect this,” Erick commented.

They put the trays down and tried to look everywhere at once. The shelves were much fuller than they’d been the day Zoe first saw them. Here and there were pieces of art her grandmother purchased from one of her featured artists when Amanda remarked liking something. There were picture frames everywhere with photos of all the people she loved.

Naturally, the two of them were in many.

Erick walked to a photo of the three of them at the inlet near the marina and picked it up. Amanda thought she remembered Lizzy taking it.

“Wow. I remember this, Amanda.”

“We ran about a million tests that summer. Davis sliced open the bottom of his foot and I got that weird rash from the seaweed in the polluted marina.”

Erick smiled. “You two were always willing to go the extra mile. You put your safety on the line more than once.” Replacing the frame, he strolled her shelves, examining the titles. “You have them categorized.”

“My mother is a librarian.”

“It’s wonderful.” Stepping back, he said, “I notice you place photos or art near a book with a similar theme. The one of us at the marina was near Children of the Flies. Fitting, I think. Noel found an ideal spot beside Fight Club. One of Morgan is near The Picture of Dorian Gray. The man never ages. This pic of you with the Delkins sits beside Pride and Prejudice. Makes sense. Those guys are rich, good-looking, and kind of out of touch with normal shit.”

Tilting his head, he said, “You have a picture of just me beside a copy of Practical Magic.”

Arms folded loosely in front of her, Amanda remarked, “That’s fascinating.” She added nothing else and he looked at her over his shoulder. “Do you have a question?”

“I’ll hold it for now.”

Davis walked into her little attached office and called Erick seconds later. She followed them slowly.

Leaning in the door frame, she watched them examine her lab and surrounding work area.

“I put the kit to good use and expanded on it.”

“I see. This is an incredible set up, Amanda. Is this your data?” He picked up a binder and thumbed through it. “You are the most detail-oriented and organized person I’ve ever known.” She shrugged. His eyes moved to the side and he reached out to pick up several spiral-bound documents with bright watercolor covers. “Children’s books.” He looked at her. “You write children’s books?”

“Yes. Caroline illustrated them.”

Davis grabbed one and they took turns reading them. Naturally, they were short. “Amanda, these are really good.”

“Truly. These would be insanely popular.” Erick replaced them neatly. “I didn’t know you were a writer.”

“Not really. Just stories I used to make up for kids I babysat and then for Heather. I’m glad you guys like them. I’m going to eat. I’ve been nervous.”

She walked across the room, sat, crossed her legs, and spread a napkin over her lap. They joined her a moment later.

Davis grinned as he sat beside her. “Since you were thirteen, you’ve carried yourself like a grown woman. Your manners are insane. It was one of the first things I noticed when we met.”

“I learned a lot from my grandmother, then my mom. Dad and Noel are terrible sometimes. Gives Grandma the chills.”

They chatted like the old friends they were and it was lovely. Then she stared at her cousin until he lifted his gaze.

“You’re in love. You’re in love with a woman.”

His eyes went wide. “How the fuck do you know that?”

“Your shoulders are relaxed. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so relaxed. Tell me about her.”

“I can’t tell you who she is…”

“Tell me what you can.”

“She’s older than me.”

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