Making my way through the cramped dining room to the kitchen, I squeeze past the small round table, only big enough to seat four. The fact that there are only three mismatched chairs around the table is a testament to how many parties we’ve thrown since living here.
Once I’ve reached the kitchen, I grab two sodas out of the fridge. The sun shines through the window at the back door, just to the left of the fridge, painting the tile floor in a yellow glow. The moment takes me back to the woman I met in the diner a couple of weeks ago.
Sienna.
That was the name stitched in cursive across the front of her planner. I didn’t consciously take note of it, but for some reason, her name is burned into my brain. It’s not like me to be so caught up on one woman, but something was so intriguing about her. It’s why I haven’t been able to get off my phone. Unfortunately, I still haven’t been able to find her on social media.
I keep replaying the way her dark curls framed her face. The way her deep bronze skin glowed under themorning sun. The sun hit her doe-shaped eyes in such a way that I swear they actually sparkled.
When her lips parted every time I flashed my smile at her, I found myself not able to look away. Not to mention how amusing it was to watch her tell off my friends. If Matt hadn’t invited the women from the party to join us at the diner, I might have actually gotten Sienna’s number.
Maybe then I wouldn’t be obsessing over my phone so much.
Shaking my head, I make my way back to the living room. It doesn’t take me long before I’m handing Matt his soda and cracking open my can.
I’m just about to sit back down when my phone rings.
“Sorry, guys. It’s Roman,” I say, flashing my phone screen at them. “You know I have to answer, or he’ll have the whole city looking for me within the hour.”
“Your brother is such an overbearing prick sometimes,” Jessie says, half smiling.
“Yeah, and you love him anyway!” I yell as I’m exiting the room, heading back toward the kitchen. Once I’m out on the small back porch, I answer the call.
“Hey, Roman.” I lie back on the outdoor sofa, fluffing the pillow behind my head, locking in for whatever lecture he’s about to give me this time. I should’ve been out here earlier. The sun could do me some good in getting Sienna off my mind for once.
“Why the fuck aren’t you answering the group chat?” Great, he’s already agitated. I swear he gets grumpier every year. If Matt thinks I’m pent-up, then I don’t know what word he’d use to describe Roman.
“I didn’t even notice. I’ve been swamped with finals?—”
“So you’ve been studying?” he asks, a hint of suspicion lacing his tone.
“Of course, what else would I be doing?” I haven’t exactly started studying for finals yet, but Roman doesn’t need to know that. For someone who didn’t go to college, he sure has a lot to say about my grades.
To my relief, he decides not to press further and changes the subject. “We’re setting a date for the lake house this summer. Leo has that cooking trip in August. Alex said his training schedule is booked for all of June. I’ll have to move some stuff around, but it looks like July is our only option. After the Fourth. Does that work for you?” Some papers rustle in the background, reminding me I still need to have another conversation with my brother.
“Yeah, that’s fine. While I have you on the phone, I was thinking since I’ll be graduating next month?—”
Matt bursts through the back door, followed by Jessie, and they’re both yelling, “TOGAS! TOGAS! TOGAS!”
Matt gets close to my face. “A toga party, bro! Isn’t it perfect?” I push him off me, and they laugh as they leave through the side gate of our less-than-average-sized backyard.
“Really, Theo? Another fucking party?” Roman’s stern voice snaps me back to our conversation. Shit. I forgot to cover the phone when Matt came outside. That will make what I have to say a lot harder.
Roman hasn’t been impressed by my “recent lifestyle choices.” He’s the oldest of my brothers, and to say wehave a complicated relationship is an understatement. I try not to complain too much, given the fact that he raised my brothers and me at only nineteen years old after our parents died. But sometimes I wish he acted more like a brother than my guardian.
I try to play it cool. “It’s just a small get-together with some friends to celebrate graduation. Iamgraduating with my bachelor’s degree in business administration. Do you not think that’s worth celebrating?” Lacing sarcasm into my tone, I’m annoyed he still doesn’t trust me despite my being this close to having a college degree.
Average grades be damned, I’ve still made it to graduation.
“Oh, I’m sure it’s just a small get-together.” Based on his tone, there’s no need to question where I get my sarcasm from.
To deter the conversation away from my “less than savory party lifestyle,” as Roman likes to put it, I go back to what I was originally trying to say.
“Anyway, I’ll be free in July. Unless you think you’ll be needing me in the office. I know?—”
“I already told you, you’re not taking a position at my company.” Once again, he shuts me down.
Roman is currently the CEO and owner of Kane Construction. A company he took over from our father when he passed. I’ve been working for months to convince Roman to sign me on as a partner. I have ideas to grow the company into something much larger than what it is, but he’s never interested in listening to what I have to say. Considering my last name is also Kane, I have just as much right to work for Dad’s company as he does.
