Page 6 of Another June with You

Her brother, Duncan, often told her it was okay to splurge every once in a while, but there were reasons for her diet. He knew there were. Reasons she seldom shared with anyone unless she absolutely had to.

She took a tiny bite of the syrup-soaked toast and sighed. So good. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had sugar, actually. Most days, she started with a glass of almond milk and a spinach and cheese omelet. And she couldn’t help but feel as if each sugary bite she took was harming her and undoing the habits she had worked so hard to attain.

“How’s your family?” Micah asked as everyone fell into conversation again.

“They’re good.”

“Your parents?”

“Doing well. Keeping busy. Mama wants to travel more. She’s set on going back to Italy to visit the family soon. It’s been five years since they were there last.”

“I bet she misses them.”

“She does. Very much.”

“How’s your sister?” Micah took a bite of his french toast and a little syrup dribbled over his chin.

Shannon fought the urge to reach out and wipe it away. “Sophia lives in New York and works in fashion now.”

“I heard that.”

It didn’t surprise her that he had heard news about her family. They had plenty of mutual friends from high school and church.

“How long has she been living there?” he asked.

Shannon thought for a few seconds. “It’s been almost nine years. She went right after she graduated, even though our parents freaked out about her being in the city after 9/11. It had only been a year, and they didn’t want her there, but Sophia was determined. She loves it, and she’s starting to make a name for herself.”

Micah smiled. “That’s awesome. I remember her always wearing the craziest outfits. She definitely had her own sense of style.”

“That’s an understatement.” Sophia was bold, unique, and confident in personality and fashion sense. And she was doing exactly what she was meant to do—dress women in beautiful clothing that make them feel good about themselves.

“What’s Duncan up to?” Micah lifted his coffee cup and took a sip.

Shannon tried not to watch the cup touch his lips, but failed.

He noticed and gave her the tiniest hint of a smile as he set the cup on the saucer with a clink.

She blushed. “Duncan’s doing great. Traveling a lot. He does freelance graphic design, which he can pretty much do anywhere. He’s probably gone more than he’s home. I think he’s still searching for his place in the world.”

“Is he traveling right now?” he asked.

“He’s been out west in Denver for a couple months—some kind of design job for an outdoor gear company, I think. He’s been hiking up mountains in his free time. He says it’s beautiful there. But he comes home tomorrow night, and I can’t wait.”

“You two are still close?”

She nodded.

“I always loved how close you were with your family.”

“I know.” Her heart tugged at his comment, knowing he’d never had the opportunity to know his parents, and had been raised by an aunt he didn’t really get along with.

“How’s Granny McG?” he asked.

A laugh escaped her at the nickname only Micah had ever called her grandmother. “Oh my gosh, I forgot about that.”

Micah laughed along with her, and she didn’t miss the way his eyes traveled over her face, like he was taking it all in.

“Uh … she’s good. Still going strong at ninety-six. Still baking the most delicious desserts and trying to fatten us all up.” Not that I eat them anymore.

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