Page 40 of The Last Lavender Sister

“I will be.”

“Violet will, too, you know. After that display, there are going to be a lot of people looking into what’s going on between them.”

Aster shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket. “It sucks that she got mixed up with a guy like that. She was so excited when they first started dating.”

“We all fell for it. Some people are good at wearing a mask.” They walked on. “Not showing you who they really are.”

Aster looked over at her. “You sound like you speak from experience. The ex?” She still had the wild look in her eye.

Brynn nodded. “It’s been over two years, and I can still feel all the damage she did. Again, the mask is a powerful thing. If only I’d known then who she really was.”

“You and Violet both.”

They walked in silence for an extended time. Brynn let Aster choose their route, hoping the control would help return her to a calmer state. She’d never seen Aster angry before and got the impression it was a rare display. As if reading her thoughts, Aster tossed her a sheepish glance. “I don’t have a temper. I’m surprised he got that out of me. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry I lost my cool.”

“You have nothing to apologize for.” Brynn took Aster’s hand in a move that felt so natural it startled her. God, she was gorgeous beneath the moonlight. She’d always found Aster attractive, but tonight was offthe charts. And it had nothing to do with the way she’d valiantly stood up for her sister. Well, maybe a little. “Tad was out of line. I just didn’t want you getting hurt. The idea of that…” Brynn trailed off.

“What were you going to say?” Aster asked and looked down at their hands.

“I just don’t think I could stand that.”

They stared at each other. A gust of wind hit, and Brynn braced against the intrusive chill.

“You’re cold,” Aster said, immediately shrugging out of her bomber jacket. “Here. Wear this.”

“No, no. Then you’ll be cold. I’m the thoughtless one who forgot a coat.”

“The cold doesn’t bother me. In fact, I need it right now.” Aster took her hand back, cupped it with the other one, and blew into them, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. Brynn snuggled into the jacket that fit her perfectly. It smelled like Aster, fresh cucumber and clean laundry. A unique combination she would never get used to or tired of. “Why’d you take my hand?” she asked finally, eyes still forward.

Brynn had forgotten how straightforward Aster was. She asked what she needed to know, and said what she thought.

“What?” Brynn absorbed the question, searching for its motivation. “Oh. Well. I guess I just wanted to show you that I was here with you. Supportive.”

“That’s all?” Aster stopped walking. So did Brynn.

“Are you upset? Did my taking your hand upset you?”

“That would never upset me. Can we keep walking?”

“Yes.”

They did so, entering the heart of Homer’s Bluff where most of the businesses had gone dark. That had been an interesting discovery upon moving to town. After seven p.m., the citizens scattered like ants, closing up shop for the night. Larry’s stayed open, the diner, and the two-screen movie theater had showings until ten. The rest of the place? Tumbleweeds beneath the stars. They had the place to themselves.

And there it was. They approached the bench, Aster’s bench, that had become their bench. Reading at lunchtime was still a favorite pastime of Brynn’s. She touched the back of the bench. “Read any good science fiction lately?”

“Actually, yes. Two books this week.” The moonlight created a soft halo around Aster’s hair and face. She looked angel-touched, her big brown eyes so expressive.

“You still tear through those things, don’t you.”

“I’ve always been fascinated with words and their arrangement. When you add in outer space, I’m a goner.”

Aster’s bottom lip was a thing of beauty. Brynn wanted to run her thumb across it. “Can aliens be sexy, though?” Why had she just said the wordsexy? Simply introducing it into their conversation inspired forbidden thoughts. It had nothing to do with this conversation. She was off the rails now, but also riding the exhilaration.

“Anything can be sexy in the right context.” Aster watched Brynn, studying her as if she was a rare find. “Some things just happen to be sexy all on their own. All the time.”

“Like what?”

“Well, you.”

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