When the table is set, Mom brings over the chicken and vegetables.
“Let’s eat.” She sits at the table and we all grab a chair.
“This looks delicious.” Caden passes the dish to Ava.
Mom smiles. “So, Harper says you go to boarding school?”
Ava sighs. “For now.” She glances at Caden. “I’m hoping to come back to school here.”
I haven’t had a chance to talk to Caden yet to see if he found out what happened with Ava and school.
“My parents will make the decision.” Caden glances at Ava. “But knowing them, she’ll be enrolled by midweek.”
Ava smiles. “I wasn’t really fitting in there. It would be easier. I have friends here.”
Who helped us with the plan to lure the mole out. Except all we found out is that the guys can’t trust any of the guys they usually trust.
“It’s hard to make new friends.” Mom cuts her chicken. “I actually moved here in high school. This community is pretty tight knit, so it was hard to build friendships.”
I didn’t know that. Why didn’t I know that?
Caden’s fingers brush mine on the table and I zone back in. My eyes meet his. My heart beats a little harder.
“Caden tells me you’re in art.” Ava smiles.
“Yes. Caden’s actually my partner on our art project.” I don’t mention Tanner. Fuck Tanner and his bullshit. If anyone deserves what they got, he did.
“Is this a new project?” Mom asks.
“No, same one.” I shift nervously in my chair. I never told her Tanner’s name, just called him an asshole. Which he is. But she also doesn’t know that the reason he’s an asshole is sitting at this table.
“I’m glad you got that resolved then.” Mom smiles and changes the subject thankfully. She asks what extracurriculars Ava does. When Ava says she was on the dance team, we end up talking about dance.
Caden rests his hand next to mine, but doesn’t take it. Is that for his sister’s sake or my mom’s? Part of me wants to slide my hand into his and own our relationship, but it could be awkward, so I don’t.
When Mom rises to start dishes, Caden stands. “I can do them.”
Ava looks at Caden like he’s grown three heads. He ignores her and works on clearing the dishes. Mom excuses herself to go to the bathroom.
Ava looks at Caden and then looks at me speculatively. “So your mom knows about your relationship?”
I glance at Caden
He nods. “Ava knows.”
I blow out a breath. “Yes, my mom is okay with me dating five guys.”
“Is this a new thing at school? Like are more people doing it? Can I date five guys too?” Ava leans her elbows on the table and holds her chin up.
“No,” Caden says definitively from the kitchen.
“Why not?” Ava pouts as she stares at Caden’s back. “Why should Harper have all the fun?”
I sit back in my chair and watch as Ava argues with her brother over her right to have multiple boyfriends. They bicker back and forth for a while. When Mom comes out, she grins.
“It’s only fair,” Mom chimes in at some point.
Caden arches an eyebrow at her. “She’s fifteen.”
