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I rolled my eyes and started to walk into the dining room where everyone was gathering around. “Wes.”
Spinning back around, I glared at my brother. “Drop it, will you, Finn? Clare isn’t going to get hurt because she already knows I want Mandy back.”
A look of horror and confusion washed over his face. “Wh-what?”
“Can we talk about this later, please?” I asked in a hushed voice.
“What do you mean, Claire knows?”
Sighing, I turned and faced my brother. “Clare has agreed to help me make Mandy jealous.”
His eyes went wide. “What? Then what the hell was going on with that kiss? Was it a practice round because it sure didn’t look like you were fake kissing.”
Winking at my younger brother, I said, “Please, Finn. The kiss didn’t mean anything. Just playing a role.”
One of his eyes narrowed. “For whom, though? You were both alone in the kitchen?”
I saw Clare coming out of the kitchen and turned away from my brother and focused on my parents who were standing at the table, a knife in my father’s hand ready to cut the dessert. When he sliced into the cake, everyone cheered, and I took that moment to glance over to Clare. She was smiling as she watched my parents, and I couldn’t help but notice the room seemed to be a bit brighter since she walked in. Or how my palms suddenly felt sweaty, and all I wanted to do was be back in the kitchen with my mouth covering Clare’s.
The lie I told Finn only moments ago felt like lead on my tongue. The kiss had meant something, I just wasn’t sure what.
I shook away the feelings and fought the urge to rub at my temples to ease the sudden headache starting to come on.
Clare quickly jumped into action and started to cut pieces of the cake for everyone, insisting that Harmony and Rory go relax and enjoy the cake with our parents. Once everyone had gotten a piece, I made my way up and took one of the plates that had a cut piece of cake on it.
Doing her best to ignore me, Clare kept a smile on her face as she nodded her head in agreement to whatever the older woman standing next to her was saying.
“Clare, we need to talk.”
With the smile still plastered on her face, she shook her head. “Not here. We can talk later.”
I went to argue with her, but Rory suddenly appeared on the other side of Clare.
“Your brother Tim called my cell. He said he’s been trying to get a hold of you.”
Clare’s smile instantly fell. “It’s in my purse. Is something wrong?”
Rory’s gaze swung to me, and something on her face told me that whatever she was about to say wasn’t going to be good news. Looking back at Clare, she grabbed hold of her hands.
“Your mother and father have been in a car accident. That’s all he said. They’re at Massachusetts General.”
Clare swayed slightly, and I quickly wrapped my arm around her waist. “It’s okay, I’ve got you.”
Her voice sounded the weakest I’d ever heard as she asked, “Are they…are they okay?”
Rory swallowed hard and replied, “He didn’t say. Just that you needed to get there as soon as you can.”
“I…I…” Clare mumbled as she looked around. “I have to call an Uber.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Clare,” I said as I took her hands in mine. “I’ll take you. Come on.”
She stood frozen in place. Standing in front of her, I cupped her face in my hands and leaned down to look into those eyes that were filled with fear.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay. I’ve got you.”
When her eyes met mine and I saw the tears, I just about fell to my knees.
“Let’s get your coat and purse and we’ll go there right now.”
