Page 55 of The Summer We Started Over

She returned to the back room and answered. “Is everything okay?”

To her surprise, Drew was speaking. “I certainly hope so.”

“Oh! Sorry. Hi.” Barrett was torn, wanting to talk with Drew, and oddly wanting Janny to leave Paul alone.

“I’m coming to the island Saturday. Could I take you out to dinner? I know your shop is open, but maybe Janny can handle it. She’s working out okay, right?”

From the other room came the sound of Janny and Paul laughing.

Why was Janny’s laugh so irritating?

Barrett concentrated on Drew’s voice. “Yes, Janny’s great. And yes, I’d love to go out to dinner with you Saturday night.”

“Cool. I’ll call you when I get there.” He paused.

“Oh. Good.”

“I can’t wait to see you,” Drew said.

Now she had to saysomething. “Me, too.”

Barrett slid her phone into her pocket and returned to the showroom. No customers, only Janny and Paul leaning over the counter to talk.

Was Janny flirting with Paul?

Why should she care? After all, Paul was just a friend. So why did Barrett suddenly feel possessive of Paul? What was wrong with her? A moment ago, she’d been on the phone flirting with Drew. How many emotions could a person have in three seconds?

How many men could she like at the same time?

Whatever. Barrett gently elbowed Janny so she could lean on the counter, too. “Paul, thanks for the cookies. Tell your mother we love them!”

“Will do.” Paul winked at Barrett and left the shop.

“Was that my brother who called you?” Janny asked.

Barrett was recovering from the wink. “It was.”

Janny folded tissue into a bag, ready for the next customer. Carelessly, she asked, “Do you like Paul? I thought you liked my brother?”

Barrett answered evasively, “Whowouldn’tlike your gorgeous brother?”

Before Janny could answer, two women came in. Barrett had babysat for both their children years ago, and she was glad to see them again.

“Cath! Rosalind! How are you?”

“We wanted to check out your shop,” Cath said. “It’s absolutely dreamy.”

Barrett chatted with them as an older man came in and spoke with Janny about a blue sweater. Now the small shop was crowded. Two more customers came in, and as she helped them, she forgot about men and lust and romance. Well, shealmostforgot.

—

Barrett made a plan to talk to their father that evening. She brought pizza home even though it was after nine o’clock, so her sister and father had probably had their evening meal, but who could resist a slice of pizza no matter the time of day?

Eddie had been watching for her. She held the door open as Barrett carried the unwieldy pizza box inside. While Barrett set plates around the kitchen table and took three beers from the refrigerator, Eddie went into their father’s study and talked him into joining them.

It was a comforting, bonding few moments as the three settled into their normal places and sipped their beers and took their first glorious bites of pizza.

“Dad, we need to talk,” Eddie began. “Dinah has gone to dinner with friends. She won’t be home until midnight, probably, so we can speak openly. Dad, is something bothering you?”

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