Page 123 of Hoax and Kisses
And based on my mom’s interest in visiting Daph’s school, the two of them must have had quite the conversation when I was out helping my dad with the luggage. That makes me love her even more, if that’s even possible.
I tried to needle the information out of her on the drive here, but she insisted all they talked about was the trip to Vancouver. I could tell by the way she stayed vague that she was hidingsomething from me, but I didn’t press her on it. She doesn’t have to tell me everything. My mom offering to join us on Wednesday is already the biggest step forward I could have dreamed of.
I’m not used to having an ally when it comes to protecting my sister, and the feeling is fucking intoxicating.
I open the shop door and slip outside. When I approach the truck, she’s staring down at her phone. “Can you help me out with something real quick?”
“Me?” She snaps her head up. “With what?”
“No, not you,” I deadpan, opening the passenger door. “Of course you. Come on.”
She takes the hand I offer and follows me back to the store. “Should I tell you that you’re way—”
I open the door and usher her in, and the words die in her throat.
Hands on her shoulders, I lean in. “I owed you a dinner and flowers. Remember?”
The whole shop is suffused with the soft light of hundreds of candles I’ve arranged around vases and flowers. In the middle of the space, cushions and blankets are piled together. And next to them is a pair of glasses and a bottle of wine, along with stuffed pasta shells.
She turns to me, the wheels in her brain racing. “How did you… When did you…”
Then she gasps. “Your flowers are gonna catch fire with all those candles!”
Chuckling, I caress her arms. “They’re fake, don’t worry. Do you like it?”
“I—I don’t know what to say.” She spins slowly, taking it all in. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen something so beautiful in my life.”
It’s true that the store looks like a vision out of a fairy tale, with all the greenery and lights dancing like fireflies.
But the woman standing in the middle makes it downright magical. Enchanting.
“When did you find the time to do all of this?” she breathes.
“Lola and James helped me put it together this afternoon.”
I didn’t know my parents would be back in town today, but it worked out well in the end. It gave James and Lols a few more hours to finish setting up. I owe them big time.
“Come on. Sit with me.” I lace our fingers and lead her to the cozy setup.
Once she’s settled, I open the bottle and fill our glasses.
“To you,” I say, tapping mine against hers. “And your vision for our town. Thank you for making us so much better.”
Her eyes go wide, her mouth forming the cutest O. “Ourtown?”
“If you want it to be.”
“I do.” Though her words are clear, shadows drift across her face. “I need to talk to my dad first. Tell him I’m signing the papers for the hotel and that…” She exhales sharply. “That I don’t want to take over.”
It’s the first time she’s spoken those words to me. That she’s acknowledged that she wants something different, that sheissomeone different from the person she was when she arrived.
I wasn’t prepared for how my heart would race in return. Like a lock unfastening its hold on my hopes and desires.
“I have something to tell you too,” I say, just above a whisper. “Corey texted me while I was at the car with my dad. I’m in. I’m starting the program in two weeks.”
With a squeal, she throws her arms around my neck, coming flush against me.
I drag her onto my lap and hold her tight, whiffs of her shampoo tingling my nose.
