Page 118 of Corkscrew You
“Where’s your other brother?” says Chiara.
“Yeah, Ava,” I say, pointedly. “Whatdoyou suppose has happened to Danny?”
“Here he is!” says Izzy, who’s facing the door. “Hmm, he looks … annoyed.”
We all turn. Danny strides over, face like thunder, yanks out a chair, drops into it. Then he leans across the table and sticks his middle finger right in Ava’s face.
Ava is unmoved.
“It’s your own fault,” she tells him. “You’ve had twenty-five years to get used to me. Can’t help it if you’re a slow learner.”
Chiara smiles the smile of one who approves of Ava’s tough-love approach. Shelby was right; they’re cut from similar cloth. But the world will be a safer place if theydon’tteam up.
Fortunately, Chiara has turned her attention to Dan. Who, now that the rage mist has subsided, is able to pull himself together and switch on the charm.
“Can I buy you a drink, other brother?” Chiara says.
“Allow me,” he replies, and gets to his feet. “What will you have?”
“Surprise me,” she says, with a look guaranteed to instantly double Dan’s quota of testosterone.
“I’d better help.” Shelby hops up. “Otherwise he could be waiting at the bar for half an hour. Brendan’s kind of allergic to preppy guys.”
“Brendan.” Jordan mutters his name like she’s using it as a hex.
Max gives her a curious look, and I smile on the inside.
In Dan’s absence, I become Chiara’s focus.
“So you were forced to back down?” is her conversation opener.
“I made a mistake.” No point in getting defensive. “And then I fixed it.”
“I’m so glad.” Jordan beams at me. “Ilovestomping grapes. It’s so …physical.”
The emphasis she gives the last word makes Max cough on his bourbon.
“You shouldallcome grape stomping,” she says to us. “Mid-September. Not far away now.”
“We’ll be back at college,” says Izzy, glumly. “Otherwise, I’d love to.”
“I’ll be here,” says Ava. She gives me a look. “I’ve decided to stay.”
“How come?” I’m genuinely surprised.
“Don’t you want me around?”
She has her usual smile on, but I’ve known her long enough to catch the vibration of vulnerability.
“Couldn’t think of anything I’d like more,” I say, with absolute sincerity.
I’ve been apart from my family for too long. Now, I’ll have at leastsomeof them close by. Maybe Ava will want to get an apartment with me? OK, no, that’s probably a step too far.
Danny and Shelby are back. Dan hands Chiara what looks like a Manhattan.
“Weren’t a whole lot of options,” he says, apologetically.
“Good thing this is my favourite, then,” she replies, with another of those looks.
