Page 8 of A Love Like That

I stood on the porch of Tristan and Tessa’s house, my finger hovering over the doorbell. Cars zipped by on the road behind me. The scent of wisteria lingered in the air, heralding the beginning of spring. I tried to remind myself that this, too, could be a new beginning.

And yet, I hesitated.

I’d spent my whole life in Tessa’s shadow. It was only in the last few years—since moving to Melbourne and focusing on my online persona—that I’d finally been able to break away from it. I’d gained followers, cultivated collaborations, made friends,truefriends.

Like Piper. She had a popular vlogging channel on YouTube and was an Instagram content creator. And her best friend, Sumner. Sumner was a life coach who’d written several bestselling books. Her TED Talk had gone viral a few years ago.

And then there was me. A college student in Australia with a midsize following and a few collaborations under my belt. Well, at least I had been.

Now that I’d returned to the AV, I had to confront the truth of my situation. Everything I’d worked so hard for the past few years was at risk. My degree. My ability to get into the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. My entire future. I’d applied to teach English through the government-sponsored JET Program, and I didn’t have a backup plan.

My fingers curled in on themselves, and I retracted my hand as I debated my options. I’d been kicked out of Australia. I couldn’t live with my parents for the next few months, but did I really want to live in Tessa’s house? Surrounded by all her things? Her family?

The thought of Maddox and Savannah’s smiling faces erased all doubts from my mind, prompting me to ring the doorbell. Barks came from within, and I grinned when I heard Savannah yell, “I got it!”

A moment later, the door swung open, and Savannah smiled and quickly leaped into my arms. “Auntie Ellie! I love your purple hair! Ohmigod, you look just like a Disney princess.”

She said it all in one breath, and it made me laugh. This was why I loved kids. They were always so enthusiastic.

A princess might be a slight exaggeration, though I did appreciate the comparison. I’d tried to apply enough makeup to make myself feel like my armor was in place but not so much that it seemed like I was trying too hard. It was a small town; of course I’d see someone I knew.

“Look at you, getting so big!” I held her tightly, breathing her in. I’d missed this kid. She was good for my confidence.

Her little body relaxed, and she said, “I’m so glad you’re here.”

Tessa’s words floated back to me—life is too short. I’d already missed a lot of my niece’s and nephew’s milestones. I hoped to make up for lost time these next four months. I hoped to be there for them in the way Tessa had always been there for me.

“Me too, kiddo. Me too.”

“Savannah,” Tristan’s voice boomed. The commanding tone was equal parts intimidating and sexy.

Tristan came into view, holding Rex back by the collar, Maddox peeking out from behind him. “What have I told you about answering the door?” His question was clearly directed at his daughter.

Savannah straightened, hands on her hips, chin jutting out. “I checked the camera, Daddy. I knew it was Auntie Ellie.”

He let out a deep sigh, then said, “Okay. Fine.”

Rex barked and tried to pull out of Tristan’s hold, and that was when he finally seemed to notice me.

“Ellie, hey.” Tristan smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Give me a sec to put Rex in the backyard, and then I’ll give you a hand with your bags.”

“No worries,” I said and pulled my luggage behind me.

“Hey, Mads.” I smiled. He ducked behind Tristan, and Tristan’s smile was apologetic.

I shrugged off his concern. I knew it might take the kids a while to warm up to me. I hadn’t seen either of them in person in a year and a half, and they’d lost their mom.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen Tristan. Several years, at least.

I’d received Christmas cards, of course. But they didn’t do the man justice. He was… Wow. Tessa had really lucked out in the husband department. Though that was no surprise. Tessa had always been the luckier of the two of us, at least until the brain tumor. No one had seen that coming. And for the first time in my life, I hadn’t envied my elder sister.

“Come on, Auntie Ellie.” Savannah grabbed my hand, pulling me from my thoughts of Tessa. “I’ll give you a tour.”

“Honey,” Tristan said, heading for the back door, dog in tow. The muscles of his forearm flexed as Rex struggled to get free, his back straining against the material of his T-shirt. Had he always been so…fit?

He looked at me, and then I glanced away quickly.Crap!

“Ellie’s probably tired after her flight. We should give her some time to settle in.”

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