Page 32 of Visions of You

“At last, we agree on something.”

“I just hate seeing you angry and bitter. I think April could be good for you.”

We walked up the sandy path, crickets chirping around us. “We haven’t even gone out! I’m not having this conversation, Nona.”

“Fine, I’ll stop. I don’t want you getting angry at me.”

We stopped at one of the side entrances of the Big House. “I could never be mad at you.” I wrapped her tiny form in my arms and held her tight.

“I love you, Gabriel.”

“Love you too, Nona. Thanks for watching Hailey.”

She patted my arms and smiled. “Go on now. I know you don’t like to leave her alone for even a few minutes. And you’ve seen the old lady home safe and sound. Go back to your daughter.”

After an early breakfastwith Hailey at the Big House, I left her to wait for the school bus. Being part of a founding family could be a pain in the ass, but it had its benefits too. Like being picked up for school from the front porch.

I ambled down the path toward the dive shop. The morning was alive with sparrows flitting and singing in the flame trees. As I neared the Barn, I looked closely, but April wasn’t on her back patio. I was curious whether a night’s sleep might erase that unsure expression I’d seen last evening. I hoped so.

After unlocking the front door of the shop, I headed down the hall to the final room on the right, formerly Evan’s office, and now mine. I wasn’t driving today, but I liked the atmosphere here and found it a good place to work.

I was combing over budget line items, looking for more ways to trim costs, when the bell over the front door rang. Fast footsteps trotted down the hall. I looked up as Maia burst into my office.

She skidded to a stop in my doorway, her belly leading the way. “Oh. My. God!”

I blinked. “Uh, good morning?”

Her eyes were huge. “Gabe! I just ran into Felicia. She said you tried to suck April’s face off last night!”

I winced and screwed one eye shut. “Close the door, for God’s sake!”

She turned around and shut the door, then slid into one of the chairs in front of my desk. I raised a brow as she drummed both heels on the floor.

“So is it true?”

“Maia, no one sucked anyone’s face off, I assure you. When April arrives, you’ll find everything right where it’s supposed to be.”

Her face split into a giant grin. “Oh, that issonot a denial!”

I flopped back in my chair. “Yes. We kissed. We were dancing, and it just happened.”Boy, did it happen.

I’d have had an easier time not breathing than stopping myself from kissing her.

Maia gasped, the sound loud in the quiet room. “Oh my God! You danced?Andkissed?” Then her face became still, and she narrowed one eye at me. “Is that all that happened, Gabe?”

“Yes, Maia. That is all that happened. Happy?”

She actually squealed. “Yes! I can’t wait to talk to April this morning.”

I dropped my gaze to the desktop. “Take it easy on her, okay? Things got a little… weird at the end.”

“Weird how?”

“I think the entire thing caught us both by surprise. And when I left her, she looked… confused. Like she didn’t know how to feel about what happened.”

“How did you feel about it?”

I stared at her, deadpan. “I’m not discussing my love life with my little sister.”

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