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“Don’t feel like it.” He shrugs. We sit in companionable silence when I have a light bulb moment.
“You could always work at the firm,” I say hesitantly. The reason I’m a little unsure is because I’ve offered both Parker and Kade jobs before, and they both shut me down immediately. There’s a long, strained silence, but finally, Parker looks up at me.
“Doing what?” he asks. I contemplate my answer, but then I have another moment of brilliance.
“We’re actually going through some changes,” I say quickly, trying to get the subject out as soon as possible. “You know, trying to bring the company to this century.”
Parker cocks his head to the side. It’s so awkward talking to him about this—after all, his father helped my mom build the firm. But it must be done. We can’t tiptoe around the subject forever.
“We’re designing a new logo, a new image for the brand, that kind of stuff, you know?” I explain, and Parker nods thoughtfully. “We could definitely use someone as artistic as you to help us with that.”
I neglect to mention our whole creative department, and when Parker’s eyes light up for the first time in weeks, I know I’ve done the right thing.
“Sure.” He shrugs. “I could give it a go.”
I wait for him to get ready, and that day, we finally leave the house. Together.2 years ago
Only weeks after my birthday, the doorbell rings when we’re sitting down for Sunday lunch. Parker and I look at each other in confusion while my stepfather clears his throat and goes to answer the door. The rest of us chatter absentmindedly while I’m sure all of our thoughts are still on my disastrous birthday party.
I can’t get my mother’s face out of my head, the slap that followed stinging Kade’s cheek. I cringe at the mere thought of my stepfather throwing his own son out, me crying, Parker comforting me. It was a nightmare. I hear my stepfather murmuring and arguing with someone, but then Kade walks into the dining room, followed by his enraged father.
“You’re not welcome here,” he hisses, and I blush at the thought of tearing the two men apart.
“I’ve come to apologize,” Kade says, and I finally risk looking at him. He looks good. Better than a few weeks ago, that’s for sure. He’s cleaned up, looks healthy, and—the most welcome of all changes—no trashy girl is hanging from his arm.
“Say what you need to say.” His father sighs, but his eyes are stern. “And then get out.”
Kade, Parker, and I flinch at his harsh words, but finally, Kade nods, coming over to where I’m sitting and pulling out a chair next to me. I look up at him through my thick lashes, my heart beating wildly in my chest.
“Junebug...” he begins, the one word melting my heart immediately. I could listen to him murmuring my name all day long … I shake my head to get the thought out. It’s not right. Instead, I look up questioningly, not saying a word. I don’t think I could get anything out, anyway. Suddenly, the chicken we’ve been having has dried up my throat, and it’s getting harder to breathe.
“Junebug,” Kade repeats, finally raising his gaze to meet my hurt eyes. “I know what I did was wrong. I thought it was just something fun, a little tease … Something to take the tension off.”
I’m mesmerized by those steel-gray eyes … I could stare into them forever. So cold, with warmth spreading through them when he looks at me—only me. So different from Parker’s, yet so alike.
“It was nothing but a bad joke,” Kade finished. Finally, he takes my hand in his, and I try hard to stop my hand from shaking, but it’s trembling like a leaf. Reassuringly, Kade places his palm over mine and smiles at me. And I’m a goner because that smile has always managed to charm me into oblivion.
“It’s okay,” I whisper softly, offering a weak smile.
“Well, then!” Parker exclaims, and all our eyes go to him. “Shall we proceed with lunch?” he asks sarcastically, refusing to look at his brother and focusing his burning gaze on me instead. I fidget in my seat, feeling uncomfortable.
“Yes,” my stepfather says, a certain softness in his voice. He places a heavy hand on Kade’s shoulder, and father and son exchange glances. “Will you join us for the meal, son?” Mark asks gruffly. I hold my breath and steal a glance at my mother, who seems utterly gobsmacked. Parker has been having Sunday lunch with us forever, but Kade hasn’t been around for years. So we’re all taken by surprise when he nods in response.
“I would love to.” Quickly, another place is set by the housekeeper, a plate placed in front of my stepbrother, filled with delicious food. I think I’m the only one to notice Parker’s displeasure at the sight of his brother. I sigh inwardly—he’s so protective of me, he even worries about his own twin hurting my feelings… But I can’t worry. I’m blissfully happy at this moment, and I let myself experience the feeling, my yearning gaze flittering to Kade as often as it can without raising Mom's suspicion.
