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Lacey takes a sip of water and swallows. Swirls the ice in her glass, her brow creased with faint lines.
“Do you think I could come meet your siblings?” She holds her breath, waiting for my reply.
I want to say “thanks, but no thanks” or maybe “hard pass,” but the desperation on her face stops me.
“Uh, I guess.”
Juliet kicks my foot under the table, and I struggle to keep my balance.
“I mean, sure. That would be fine.”
The corners of her mouth tip up into a smile, and her shoulders relax.
“I can probably come down over the summer break. Except I’ll have Opal with me.”
“Oh, right, your daughter. You mentioned her in the letter.”
“Yes. She’s eight, so I can’t leave her alone. I could maybe get a friend to watch her.”
“Macy and I could keep her for you, Lacey,” Liam says, rubbing his hand across his jaw.
“She might like to visit the beach, though. It could be our summer trip.” Lacey’s eyes light up at the prospect of a beach vacation. I don’t mention the fact that I know they’ve visited before—and stayed at our family’s inn.
“King lives on a ranch. He has horses and goats.” Juliet crosses her fork and knife over the last few bites of pancake. “She’ll love it out there.”
I bite my tongue, hold my eye roll in check. The last thing I want to do is entertain some kid all summer out at the ranch, but I figure now’s not the time to dive into logistics.
“Great. You have my number, and now I have yours. Text me some good dates, and we’ll work something out. I don’t want to inconvenience you any.”
I hold off on telling her that having a half sister I never knew about is damn inconvenient. Wouldn’t be polite.
Instead, I agree to the plan. Milly brings the check, and we say awkward goodbyes. Juliet and I let Lacey and Liam leave first; then we follow a few minutes behind.
“She seems nice,” Juliet says, climbing into the truck.
I slam the door behind her, circle round to the driver’s side, and hop in. Pull up the GPS and prepare for the long drive back home.
“She was all right.”
“Not a ringing endorsement, King.”
I fire up the truck, slowly backing out of the spot. A million things run through my mind, none of them positive.
“Didn’t know I needed to endorse her. It’s not like she needs my vote to visit Seaglass Beach or meet the rest of the family.”
“It kind of is like that.”
I expel a heavy breath, every bone in my body already tired. Tired of this saga, tired of the drama—and it seems like it’s only just beginning.
“Whatever you say. My siblings can make their own choice. I’m not going to sway them one way or the other.”
“Right—”
Hot anger flares through me, from my gut up to my breastbone.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Frowning, I glance over at her.
“It means that you’re the leader of the crew. Sure, they’ll have their own opinions. But without your blessing, none of them will let her in, accept her.”
