Page 29 of Wild Tides
Anya: I do. I really, really do.
Vi: What has he done now?
Anya: Nothing.
Vi: What has he *not* done now?
Anya: Still nothing. I’m coming over.
A few minutes later, a familiar perky blonde head bobbed into view through the plate glass door. Anya wore yoga pants, but she’d added a heavy sweatshirt over her tank top in deference to the cold. It rained a bit after lunch. Now, the sky outside was stubbornly gray.
“Hey, Anya.”
A blast of cold followed her inside, and I shivered, reaching for my sweatshirt. She lingered by the front window, her gaze flicking outside before she caught me watching. A smile slid into place, a touch too quick, her shoulders still tight.
“Guess I’ll never stop looking over my shoulder,” she said lightly, as if it were a joke.
I let it pass, reaching for the teapot to give her an easy out. “Would you like some tea? My treat.”
I used to see her every day. Since she moved in with Drew, time alone with my friend was scarce.
“If you have some of that island-grown black vanilla loose leaf, that would be amazing.”
I steeped a mug for each of us before ushering her toward the tiny bistro table tucked into a corner. In the summer, I took my breaks and lunches at a table in the back courtyard. But it was too cold today. The tiny table was perfect for the odd customer who wanted to enjoy their coffee and pastry in the store.
Anya examined me with shrewd eyes over her mug. “Okay, spill it. What did Lee do?”
“He admitted he was part of it all, back in high school.”
“The bullying?” She frowned.
“I wouldn’t call it that, exactly…”
“Are you sure?”
My shoulders slumped. “Okay. Yes. I like to think they’ve all grown since then.”
“If we romantically ruled out every man who’s ever been a jackass, humanity would end.”
“Gee, you’re certain Drew hasn’t done something I should know about?”
“No. Your brother and I are fine. Great, in fact. But he makes mistakes. For that matter, so do I. It’s part of being human.” She pointed at me. “I know you’re not infallible.” She shuddered. “I still remember the time you microwavedfish.”
I rolled my eyes. “Point made.”
She leaned forward, batting her lashes. “So, dish. You and Lee, huh?”
“There’s nothing much to tell,” I said airily. “I’m helping him out. He took me out to dinner.”
“No making out and getting caught in public places? No near-nudity?” Anya wrinkled her nose. “Are you sure you’re a Fenwick?”
I chuckled, remembering the hell we gave her and Drew at the beginning of their courtship.
“Yes. My one hundred percent pure, unadulterated, Fenwick genetics are flowing strong.”
Her eyes flashed. “That means you have a plan.”
I laughed, surprised how well she knew me. “Yes. I do. Wanna help?”
