Page 29 of The Last Lavender Sister

Aster’s mouth fell open. “I think that was a compliment, but I’m not clear.”

“I should strive for better delivery.” Brynn placed a hand on Aster’s shoulder, and with their physical connection plugged back in, she sank into warmth and comfort. “The cosmos knew we’d be good together even if I never would have guessed.”

Aster grabbed Brynn’s hand and sat back, taking that hand with her. “The cosmos makes me feel noteworthy. I accept this characterization, shy and curious girl that I am.”

So there would be nothing more between them than what they had. But for Aster? It was already pretty great. Her relationship with Brynn was unique in its closeness. She could shoot a look across a room at Brynn and have her know exactly what it meant. They were special, and Aster vowed to treasure and protect their bond, making sure Brynn wouldn’t lose her and she wouldn’t lose Brynn.

Because that simply wasn’t an option.

* * *

“Happy birthday, dear Violet. Happy birthday to you.” The entire Lavender family broke into happy applause, and the rest of the patrons dining at Kimble’s joined in. Violet, celebrating her thirty-fourth birthday, beamed from her spot next to Tad at the long table. It was tradition for the Lavenders to all go out for a big dinner to celebrate the birthday of each family member, a tradition that dated back to their childhoods when they got to choose any restaurant they wanted. Violet, a fan of the finer things in life, had selected Kimble’s Surf and Turf, the only relatively upscale restaurant within ten miles of Homer’s Bluff, for her celebration. The family had dutifully assembled on not only her behalf, but also to celebrate Aster on the brink of her move. While it was nice of her family to include her, she tried not to steal any thunder from Violet.

“What do you have in store for your next year on earth?” their father asked the birthday girl. He’d cleaned up impressively for the dinner. His beard had been trimmed close, and he wore the nicer of his two sport coats, receiving compliments from the entire family.

Violet stared dreamily at Tad and his coiffed dark hair. Aster imagined he owned a hundred sport jackets. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe finding a way to make my life feel a little more permanent. That might be nice.”

Tad touched his rocks glass to Violet’s glass of red wine. “One never knows what the future holds.” The two of them made puppy-dog eyes at each other while the rest of them watched. Speaking of puppies, Aster checked her watch and wondered how little Dill was doing back at home. She’d had him for a little over two months, and so far, he’d shown himself to be semitrustworthy when she left the house, havingonly chewed one of her shoes to smithereens and the corner of one blue couch cushion.

“I probably should have had Brynn check in on Dill,” Aster said to Sage. “I’m sure he’s fine. He’s just in that puppy stage still where every object is a toy to be tossed or destroyed.”

“You could always send her to your place now.” He nodded his head somewhere behind Aster. “She’s been at the bar for the past twenty minutes.”

“What?” Aster had passed by the bar earlier and had seen only a couple of football watchers nursing tall beers. How had she missed this? Aster swiveled, and sure enough, there she was, nursing something in a rocks glass, wearing jeans, a white blouse, and heels. Heels? No. That was new, and it did things to Aster. Like clockwork, almost as if she felt Aster’s gaze on her, Brynn turned. When her eyes landed on Aster, she relaxed into a smile and raised her glass. They held for a moment, their connection snapping into place like a seat belt. Aster raised her very boring glass of iced water. She inclined her head to their table. Brynn shot back a look of question. Aster nodded vehemently.

“You guys, Brynn Garrett’s on her way over,” Marigold said. Aster watched her straighten as if preparing for some kind of mission. She remembered her sister’s plan for Sage and Brynn when Brynn first arrived in town, but surely, she’d moved on, right?

“Hi, everyone!” Brynn said, grinning warmly at the table. “I heard there’s a birthday?” Aster swallowed. She really looked fantastic, and Aster couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. Was this just a casual night out? Aster hadn’t mentioned where she was going, so the coincidence was fun.

“Violet is celebrating,” her mother said and introduced her father to Brynn. “Brynn, we’ve met a couple of times in town, but this is Tom. He mostly sticks to the farm.”

Her father nodded, cheeks pink as always. “Heard so much about you, Dr. Garrett.” He was always friendly, polite, but shy, too. Aster loved that about him.

“Well, I’m a big fan of your whole brood, so it’s my pleasure to finally meet you in person.”

Marigold leaned in with her chin in her hand. “Brynn, we have a spot down here at the end of the table near Sage. Please join us.” It wasalso next to Aster, so that would work fine. She only had two nights left in town, and she wanted to squeeze in as much time with Brynn as possible.

“Are you sure that’s okay? I don’t want to crash dessert.” She looked genuinely embarrassed.

“More than okay,” Violet said, “and as birthday girl I demand you join us for a slice of strawberry vanilla swirl cake. Is that all right with you, Aster, as my co-guest of honor tonight?”

Aster nodded conservatively. “I approve.”

Brynn flashed her a smile and sat between her and Sage. Marigold immediately launched into host of their side of the table. “Brynn, I’m not sure how well you know Sage, but he’s a whiz on a tractor.”And here we go. Aster smothered an eye roll at Marigold’s misplaced efforts.

“Is that so?” Brynn asked.

“Just doing my job,” Sage said and took a sip of his draft beer. He wasn’t interested in Brynn. She knew that complacent face anywhere.

“And he’s adorable. I don’t know if he’s flashed his proprietary dimples yet, but they’re something.” Marigold was nothing if not a determined woman.

“You have to stop making me sound better than I am,” Sage said and raised his eyebrows at his sister. He was a little drunk. He’d been drinking more these days, probably missing Tyler, who Brynn said was living it up with her classmates in Chicago.

“I’ve seen the dimples,” Brynn said, “and they are as magical as you describe.”

“Thank you,” Sage said and flashed a killer smile anyway. He simply couldn’t resist, could he?

“I want to hear about Aster’s plans in Boston,” Brynn said, already knowing most all of them. All eyes swiveled to her expectantly. She was caught off guard, happy to give all the attention to Violet tonight. Brynn had other ideas.

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