Page 54 of Into the Fire
Jess grinned like he’d been waiting for her to bite. “Just wonderin’ how long you were gonna stare before sayin’ something.”
Lainey scoffed, crossing her arms. “I wasn’t staring. I was squinting. Sun’s in my eyes.”
“Uh huh.” Jess pushed off the bench and started toward her, a lazy swagger in every step. “You always squint that hard when you’re checking a guy out? Might be a medical concern.”
“I’m a nursing student,” Lainey deadpanned. “I’d know.”
He was in front of her now, too close for comfort, too cocky for sanity.
“You’re the cousin, right?” Jess asked, tilting his head. “The one who practically dragged Emery outhere?”
“That's me,” Lainey said, refusing to be intimidated. “And you’re the brother, right? The one who never shows up to work on time?”
“Ouch.” He placed a hand over his heart. “Wounded,” He took the bottle of cider from her hands like it was his.
“Excuse you?” she scoffed, but he didn’t so much as blink.
“Mm,” he hummed, ignoring her raised brow and gripping the cap with his teeth. With a quick twist and a crack, the cap popped off, and he spat it into the grass like he’d done it a hundred times, which he probably had.
He took a long swig, the curve of his mouth turning into a smirk as he handed it back to her, now missing a few sips.
She tilted her head. “I can understand why they said you need adult supervision.”
From across the yard, Levi shot them both a look like he knew exactly what kind of trouble wasbeing stirred up.
“Levi told me to play nice,” Jess said under his breath. “But you bein’ so uptight sure is makin’ it hard to relax.”
“I'm sure you’ll survive,” she said flatly, taking a sip herself to prove she wasn’t rattled before turning on her heel and leaving him standing there.
Jess just chuckled, like he hadn’t just stolen her drink and her composure in one move. “This is gonna be fun.”
Emery caught the whole thing from the other side of the yard and barely bit back a grin. When Lainey joined her near the porch, Emery just raised an eyebrow.
“What?” Lainey asked.
“Nothing,” Emery said innocently, popping a chip in her mouth. “Just wondering how long you’re gonna pretend you don’t like cowboys.”
“I don’t likethatcowboy,” Lainey insisted.
Emery smirked. “Right. That’s why you’reblushing.”
“I’m sunburnt. Besides, that man is a walking, talking headache. How do you put up with him?”
Emery shrugged with a teasing smile. “Oh, he’s not so bad… once you get to know him. He grows on you.” Looping her arm through her cousin's and changing the subject, “I’m proud of you. For not giving up on your dreams. Even with things being a lot to juggle right now.”
Lainey smiled, then bumped her gently. “I definitely am glad to have pre-reqs done and be that much closer to graduating. And right back at you, Em, I’m proud of you too.”
Emery raised an eyebrow. “For what? Playing Little House on the Prairie or mastering the perfect peanut butter to jelly ratio?”
Lainey gave her a look. “No. For being brave enough to start over. For letting yourself land somewhere soft, for once. I know you didn’t plan on any of this. Housesitting, falling for anyone, helping raise a kid who loves you and wants to be your shadow—but look at you.” Her voice dropped a little. “You look happy. Like, truly happy.”
Emery's smile faltered for a second, softening into something more tender. Her eyes found Levi across the yard, crouched down helping June untangle the string of a balloon from a lawn chair. He looked up and caught her watching him, and just gave a wink and a gentle smile. The kind that said I see you, I’m yours.
“I didn’t know I could feel this,” Emery admitted. “Like I belong somewhere. With someone.”
“Well,” Lainey said, grinning, “he looks at you like you're made of rainbows and sunshine. And your smile is more genuine than I’ve ever seen. That says a lot.”
They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the breeze catching Emery’s hair.
