Page 49 of Just Like Home

She lifted her chin, remembering for a moment that some people thought she was something special. Never mind if he was too dense to see it—his opinion didn’t have to be the one she believed. “We’re doing a few extra dances, tribute dances for your sister, and someone thought you might want to participate, since you were her brother and I guess you had a good team last year or something.” She seemed to be raising her voice. “We just want to honor Jules. To celebrate her life. I’m supposed to ask the people who run Haven House too.”

He inhaled, an annoyed look on his face. “Okay.”

“So, I guess this is me asking if you want to be a part of the recital.”

“How would I be a part of it?” he asked.

She wanted to shove him in his big, muscular shoulder, tell him this wasn’t how you had a polite conversation, and find out what in the world she’d ever done to warrant his disgust. Instead, she said, “You would dance.”

“No,” he said. “I don’t dance.”

“I mean, you wouldn’t be alone.”

“I said no, okay?” He stared her down. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” He brushed past her with all the softness of a Brillo pad.

She stood still for several seconds, wishing she’d never come, wishing she’d never thought he might actually be a tiny bit human under his suit of awfulness. And here she thought they were sort of getting to know each other. Working in the yard the other day, eating lunch together, and him learning who she was to his sister hadn’t done a thing to change his attitude.

She hugged her purse to her chest, as if it were some sort of protection, and then silently turned and started back in the direction of her car.

She’d only made it a few steps when she heard his voice behind her.

“Charlotte, wait.”

It would’ve been wonderfully dramatic to ignore him completely, but she must not have thought of that soon enough because she spun around as soon as he said her name.

He didn’t say anything.

“You bellowed?”

He closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath, then let it out, all the while surveying the grass beneath their feet. “I’ll take you out to Haven House.”

She eyed him for several seconds, wondering if this was how he treated everyone or if she’d won the lottery of disrespect. “That’s it?”

“You said you had to ask Hildy and Steve, right?” He looked genuinely confused.

“Yes, I do,” she said. “But I think you owe me an apology.”

“An apology.”

She didn’t respond. Instead, she took all emotion off of her face and stared at him, as if to say,I’m waiting.

He half-laughed and looked away. “You’re serious.”

She turned around, fully intending to walk all the way to her car, get in, and drive off. But he stopped her again.

“Fine, I’m sorry,” he said.

She faced him. “For what?”

He didn’t look amused. “I’m honestly not sure.”

Her eyes widened. “You’re not sure? Are you so accustomed to talking to people like this that you don’t realize it’s rude?”

He watched her for a few seconds, and she thought it was quite possible he was about to call her names or tell her off. But he didn’t do that. Instead, he lifted his chin and slowly met her eyes. “I’m sorry,” he said. “For snapping at you.”

The apology was so unexpected and so honest, she felt a breath catch in her throat.

“Well?”

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