Page 32 of Make You Mine

“Nimbus, quit it, you’re freaking me out.”

He meowed plaintively at me and pawed at the wall.

“Quit being weird and go find something to do,” I told him. “I’ll shower and get dressed, then we’ll get both of you some breakfast.”

I yanked the top drawer open, tossing a pair of leggings and a matching hoodie on the bed before stripping off my caftan to head to the bathroom for a shower.

The water was a temporary escape, the steady stream lulling me into a semblance of calm. But as I stood there, head bowed beneath the spray, all the restless anticipation washed over me again.

The memory of kissing Ren last night played on a loop in my mind. I swear my lips still tingled.

After drying off, I pulled on my clothes, wondering how to get out of whatever Paige had in mind.

Nimbus wound around my legs as I finally reached the kitchen, and Smog greeted me with an expectant look. At least taking care of them gave me some structure, some sense of normalcy amid this weird limbo I was stuck in.

I was thrown off. I couldn’t stop thinking of Ren. As I prepared my coffee, my phone pinged again. My heart skipped a beat, but it was another message from Paige telling me they were outside waiting for me, andnotRen telling me something wonderful.

I sighed, giving my coffee maker a longing glance as I snagged a bottle of water and headed to the door.

Paige was standing outside, her face lit up with excitement that could only come from being extremely caffeinated. She waved as I opened the door, then gestured to my sisters standing on my driveway, all in various forms of athleisure, along with Grandma on her Segway in a hot pink jogging suit—I guess she’d left the pugs at home.

“Trust me, you need this,” Paige chirped, looping her arm through mine and pulling me onto the porch before I could gather my wits enough to slam the door and lock myself inside.

I shot her a skeptical look but allowed myself to be dragged along. “Whatever this is better end with brunch and mimosas, or at least a cup of coffee,” I muttered beneath my breath.

“Oh, it will. We’re having coffee after at Coffee Cabin.”

“Great. So, what’s the plan?”

“We’re going for a walk. Remember? We talked about it the other morning. Mom is still in Hawaii, obviously. But Grandma is here.”

She flicked two fingers out in a mock salute as she drove her Segway in a small circle in the driveway. “It’s time to start talking, honey,” she called. “I’ve been hearing things about you. You need your family.”

“What things?” I hedged as I shot a side-eye to Paige.

“So many things,” Eliza answered. “I could blackmail half the town if I wanted to. People spill their guts when I’m making their morning coffee.”

“We can walk, but I won’t promise to talk. It’s too early.”

We started walking through the neighborhood, the morning air crisp and filled with the scent of blooming flowers and mountain mist.

The chatter started as a mix of gossip, plans for the week, and playful teasing about Grandma’s newfound Segway skills. Paige kept her arm looped through mine. Clearly, she suspected I’d make a break for it if one of them started grilling me.

“So, what’s been going on with you?” Cara asked, her tone casual but her eyes sharp.

“Nothing much,” I replied, trying to deflect what I knew she was going to ask about. “Planning for Something Sweet’s grand opening, the cats, the usual.”

“What about the hazelnut latte hottie, the other day?” Eliza burst out. “He was asking all about you, like what kind of coffee you liked, if he should bring you breakfast. He was looking all kinds of sexy in his gray joggers and that tight T-shirt. Ren, is it?”

“Yeah, he’s my new neighbor, and you know who he is. He’s Paige’s lawyer and Jake’s brother. He moved here from Portland.”

“Oh, right.” She nodded. “That explains why he looked familiar.”

“Is this your attempt at some kind of intervention or fix-up? Or what? What is it you are all up to?”

Lucy shot me a knowing look. Did she tell them about Dana giving me shit? “No, I said nothing,” she answered as if she’d read my mind. “We just want to make sure you’re okay, like in general. You have a lot going on.”

“Well, I’m okay. Thanks.” I decided to take them at their word, feeling a small sense of comfort being surrounded by my family, even though I knew by the time this morning was over, they’d be all up in my business.

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