Page 24 of In Every Chapter

“My cup’s empty if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Good man.” Juliet crossed the back porch and plopped down opposite me on the steps.

“You good?” I asked, inching my cup farther away from her and setting my phone aside.

She snorted. “Besides Cal being an annoying pain way too early in the morning? Of course.”

Uh–huh. I had a few theories about what was going on, but if Juliet was going to be tight-lipped about it, I wouldn’t be the one to pester it out of her. That was Cal’s style. And Shane’s. And also Brett’s. Guess it was an older brother thing. Dallas and I had somehow missed that gene.

Rosie loped over to us, ears flapping. Standing between my knees she pressed into me, demanding pets.

“Were you able to get a refund on the trip?”

Juliet shrugged. “I’m not sure. Stephanie was handling that last night. And if she couldn’t do it, I’m sure Nash got involved.”

I chuckled. Perks of having a millionaire fiancé. “When do she and Liz leave?”

“They extended their trip till tomorrow morning. We’re going to do a girls’ night at my place tonight if Pais feels up to it.” Juliet sniffed hard like she was trying not to cry.

“What’s going on?” a very sleepy Paisley mumbled from behind me.

Whirling around, I drank her in. She was mussed and adorable, shoving her slipping glasses back up her nose. I swallowed hard. Early Morning Paisley was always snuggable. She was still in my shirt, which was trying to inch off her slim shoulder, and she looked good. Better than good. Precious. Paisley wearing my clothes was my kryptonite, and I never wanted that shirt back. I wanted to hug her and never let go. Man, I was in so much trouble.

“Are you . . . crying again?” Paisley frowned at Juliet, blinking rapidly. “What’s the matter with you?”

Juliet waved her hand carelessly. “Nothing. How are you feeling?”

“Liar.” Paisley crossed her arms, a little awkwardly due to the sling. “Don’t deflect.”

If nothing else, I was relieved to see the scrappy version of Paisley emerging. I’d worked with this version before and could do it again.

“We’re not focusing on me right now. We’re here for you.” Juliet’s voice was firm with a hint of hysteria. Something was really up with my sister.

“Let me put the kettle on.” I nudged Rosie aside and stood. Easing past Paisley in the doorway, I instinctively bent to kiss her forehead.

But just like yesterday when I touched her back at the hospital, Paisley shied away as my lips brushed her skin, questions in her eyes.

Right. Jared. I still had to work hard not to hate the man. But I was only human and sometimes I did hate him. Right now was one of those times. So was yesterday. If only the man was still around so I could punch him for what he did to my wife.

Instead, I offered Paisley a nod and slipped into the kitchen. I heard her and Juliet arguing softly. No doubt about Juliet’s unusual bout of emotions. Had Paisley heard Juliet throwing up, I have no doubt she’d know exactly what was going on. My girl had a mind for mystery—true crime particularly—and no stone went unturned.

Grabbing my phone, I shot Mama a quick text.

ME:

We’re all up. You can swing by any time.

I clicked the kettle on and carefully measured out two heaping scoops of loose leaf Earl Grey into a hobbit-hole pottery mug. It was jumbo sized, and according to Paisley, the perfect amount of caffeine. Once the kettle whistled, I poured the water over the fragrant leaves, inhaling the soft steam.

Rosie snuffled behind me, and I glanced at her. “You hungry, girl?”

Her eyebrows rose as if to say Duh, and I laughed. “Coming right up, your majesty.”

Once Rosie was chomping away on her kibble, the tea timer buzzed. I added a squirt of honey and two splashes of cream to the cup just as Paisley and Juliet stepped into the kitchen.

“Oh, thank you.” Paisley blinked in surprise when I handed her the cup. She took a tentative sip, eyes widening over the rim before a smile slipped out. “It’s perfect.”

The praise shouldn’t have made me feel ten feet tall. But it did. And I couldn’t hold back a smile of my own.