“Not if we were affected by the storms. And since the Summers family is practically my own, I think that’s a good enough reason.”
“You don’t have to help.” She watches my reaction. “It’s not like you’re an employee.”
“I know, but the more hands you have, the faster it gets done.” I finish folding the blanket. “I’m gonna go check on my house and see if I can find us some breakfast. Surely someone in town has power.”
Her stomach picks that exact moment to growl, and she wraps her arms around herself in embarrassment. I don’t know why since I’ve seen her inhale an entire pizza by herself.
“Food is probably a good idea.” Her gaze moves toward the kitchen and she shakes her head. “Sorry I’m not better prepared for power outages.”
My laugh comes out loud and she jumps. “Let’s be real, Piper. You rarely have a stocked fridge. You’re used to eating out or bumming leftovers from your parents.”
“It’s not my fault I suck at cooking.” I raise my eyebrows at her, and she winces. “Okay, I have no interest in cooking. Is that better?”
“It’s the truth, so yeah.” I take stock of anything else that needs to be cleaned up in her house. Thankfully the sun is up and I don’t have to rely on her flashlight.
“I can clean up my bed mess.” She knows me so well.
“Okay. I’ll be back. If you head to the winery before then, let me know and I’ll meet you up there.”
“Sounds good.”
Leaving is the last thing I want to do right now, but we need to eat and I want to make sure my house didn’t sustain any damage. I can feel her eyes on me as I walk toward the door, and there’s not a single part of me mad about it.
nine
. . .
piper
“Why doyou keep looking down the driveway?” Parker asks as we grab some contractor bags.
Honestly, we should rent a dumpster. While the damage isn’t as bad as it could have been, there’s more than I was anticipating.
“Huh?” I heard him, but I’m giving myself time to answer. I know he’ll give me crap after our conversation a few nights ago.
“You keep staring at the driveway. Why? Are you expecting someone?”
He just had to throw that in. It takes everything in me not to suffocate him with the bag in my hand.
“Beau is coming to help us with the cleanup.” Before he has a chance to open his mouth and say something sarcastic, I add, “and he’s bringing food.”
“From where?” He glances at all the downed tree limbs and various debris covering the property. “I’ll be shocked if anyone in town has power.”
“I never said it was for you. He’s bringing me breakfast because I had nothing in my fridge.”
“Maybe I’ll text him and ask him to bring me something, too. Besides, outside of you, I think I’m one of his favorite people.”
Pfft. He would think of himself that way. It’s kind of annoying that he does in fact like Parker, though. Not that I blame him, outside of Paula, he’s my favorite sibling.
I see a car creeping up the driveway and laugh. “Looks like you might be too late. I think he’s already here.”
“Lucky you,” he grumbles and waves his trash bag in the air to open it. I don’t think he meant for me to hear it.
“Yes, lucky me.” I grin at him. “You should find yourself a best friend as amazing as mine.”
He rolls his eyes and moves further away from me. It’s just food. He has plenty at his house. He tends to keep his fridge well stocked. I would know, I’ve borrowed a few things from him on the off chance I decide to cook.
“I have plenty of friends,” he scoffs. “I’m just not co-dependent with them.”
