Page 26 of Three Little Wishes

“Stop slapping me or you’re going to give me a concussion. I was just trying to help you do up your seat belt and then Noah hit a bump.”

A big hand landed on her butt, and she shivered when strong, warm fingers grazed the bare skin of her back.

Noah hauled her over the seat and into the front. “Next time, give me some warning,” he muttered.

She opened her mouth to tell him she could use a warning next time he planned on touching her but was afraid her face was flushed and she’d sound as turned on as she felt.

She cleared her throat. “Stop at the next corner and I’ll get out. I don’t know how long this will take but I’ll meet you at the beach house.”

“You can’t ride your scooter to the beach house carrying bags for you and Cami. I’ll drop them off and come back and give you a hand,” Noah said as he pulled alongside the curb at the corner of the next street over from hers.

“Okay, but don’t rush. It might take a while to get rid of my… movers.” She looked back at her aunt. “Do what Noah tells you, and no leaving the beach house.” She smiled at Riley. “I’ll see you soon, honey.”

As Willow opened the door to get out of the car, Cami said, “I’ll need a bathing suit and some shorts and T-shirts, and don’t forget, my boobs are bigger than yours so nothing too low cut or Ma will have a conniption.”

“’Cause your boobs are fake and mine aren’t,” Willow said under her breath as she got out of the car.

“I heard you,” Cami said. “And they’re not fake. They’re just… swollen.”

Noah rubbed his hand over his mouth, his broad shoulders shaking with silent laughter.

“It’s not funny,” Willow grumbled. Then she looked at her aunt. “Is there anything else you need?”

“Underwear, but not the kind you wear. I don’t want to walk around with a string up my butt, thank you very much.”

“Good, because I wasn’t going to share my underwear with you. You can wear your granny panties.” Willow slammed the door on her aunt defending her underwear and Noah laughing out loud. She didn’t slam the door because he was laughing but because of how her body responded to him laughing.

The worrisome warm fuzzies disappeared as soon as she rounded the corner onto her street. “Mom, Nonna, Bruno, put those boxes back in my house!” she shouted, waving her arms to get their attention.

“Where have you been?” Her mother dropped the box she’d been carrying onto the front lawn and put her hands on her hips. “I’ve been calling you all morning.”

Willow had sent her mom a text before turning off her phone when they’d arrived at the hospital that morning. She’d turned it back on when she called the station.

“I told you I was busy and wouldn’t be answering my phone.” Her gaze moved over the three of them. “What’s going on?”

“Unless you’ve found a place to live, we’re moving you into your zia’s apartment,” her mom said, looking decidedly unhappy with Willow.

“I have two weeks before I have to move out,” she said, taking a box from her grandmother.

“Youhadtwo weeks. Mr. Lowell’s son got back to town late yesterday afternoon, and Mr. Lowell wanted to measurefor his furniture.” Her grandmother gave her a sour look while stabbing a finger at the open door. “And he walked into that mess.”

Her face hot with embarrassment, Willow carried the box into the house. “He had no right to do that.”

“Bella, you didn’t sign a lease. He can do what he wants,” Bruno said, following her inside with two boxes, his voice gentle.

Willow turned away from his kind, familiar face. She didn’t want him to see her cry. Her grandmother was right. The house was a mess. She was a mess. And they’d never forgive her when they found out what she’d done.

She pulled herself together and forced a smile. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’ve got this.” There was no help for it now. She had to stay at the beach house. “I have a place until the end of August. I’ll just…” She looked around her living room. “I’ll put everything in storage.” She set the box on the floor and walked to her mom and gave her a hug. “Sorry I worried you. You too, Nonna and Bruno.” She hugged them both. “Now go. I know you’re busy.”

“You can’t do this on your own,” Bruno said. “You have to be out by tonight.”

“I won’t be doing it on my own but I’m also not letting Mr. Lowell change the agreement just because it suits him.”

“Good for you. I always thought he was aculo,” her grandmother said.

“Ma, don’t encourage her.” Her mother raised an eyebrow at Willow. “I don’t like to say I told you so, but I did.”

“I know. But honestly, Mom. I’ve got this.”

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