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“Is Mara okay? She looked white when she came home.”
“Stomach ache,” I answer sitting up on the side of the bed. “She’s in there getting changed.”
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p; “If you need anything just help yourself from downstairs…and Donovan,” she waits for my attention to be on her instead of the bathroom door, “I’m trusting you to look after my daughter.”
She holds her hand out when I open my mouth to speak but I’m not sure if I’m going to admit that Mara and I are in a relationship or not.
“I know how you feel about her—I’m her mother, I know these things. Just tread carefully with Reece; he’s a firecracker waiting to go off. When he does, just remember he’d be the same with anyone going after Mara, and that it isn’t personal. You two have a lot of history and it would be heartbreaking to me to see you both fall out for good. I’ll do my best to help smooth things between you all if it comes to that because I can’t imagine Mara with anyone but you.”
“Thank you, and it won’t come to that, but Mara’s happiness comes first—always.”
“Good answer.” She closes the door behind her.
“You can come out now.”
Mara comes out of the bathroom looking sheepish. I knew she was listening from in there, and in a way, I’m glad she stayed put because I doubt I’d have found out how her mom felt otherwise.
“You look good. Come here, I need you in my arms before I go.”
Mara stretches out on top of me, her leg going between mine as she wraps herself around me like a vice.
“I love being in your arms like this. Just the two of us.”
“I love that too.”
Wrapping her up in my arms and lulling her into sleep, I can’t help wondering what Reece is going to have to say once Sarah tells him I’ve spent time in Mara’s room—alone—which she will. Probably.
Chapter Fifteen
Mara
Donovan left an hour ago not wanting to stay for dinner because he’d overheard Amanda saying that Reece and Callie were going to eat with us this evening. I guess he was right when he said Reece would spend the whole time watching us to see if his suspicions were correct. Because since he took his seat at the dining table with Callie at his side, he’s done nothing but throw dark looks in my direction.
My feelings for Donovan are hard to keep at bay at any time, but when he’s in the same room as me, I’m probably not going to be able to hide anything.
“So Mara,” Reece says, pointing his fork in my direction, “are you going to tell me why my best friend spent the afternoon locked in the bedroom with you.”
“Do I have a choice?” I mumble, shoving chicken and carrots into my mouth.
“No you don’t.”
Sighing, I tell him part truth, “He brought me a book I’d mentioned on the way back home that I’d been looking for. He’d stopped at the store in town looking for something and came across it, so he bought it and drove around here to give it to me. What is wrong with that?” I glare at him, while continuing to eat my dinner.
“There isn’t anything wrong with that—the problem I have is him spending all afternoon up there.”
“You know what, it really isn’t any of your business. Mom knew he was up there with me—discussing my art if you must know—so if Mom’s okay with it then I don’t see why you can’t be.”
Stabbing more chicken onto my fork, I practically dare him to say more. He doesn’t as Callie is obviously using some distraction technic on him out of the view of the rest of us. I love Callie.
The rest of the meal gets finished up pretty quickly in an uncomfortable silence. Reece may have left the discussion alone, but he won’t forever. Sarah spent nearly as much time glaring at me as Reece did. The silence, glares and general unrest isn’t because I had a boy up in my room, it’s happening because I had Donovan up in my room, which pisses me the hell off.
He might be seven years older than me, my brother’s best friend, but I know my own heart. Most of my teenage years have been spent reading and writing about art, most of which is suitable for an adult not a child. My mother has always said I’m more mature than Sarah and Amanda. I’d certainly agree with her about Sarah, and she’s just getting worse. Or rather jealousy is rearing it’s ugly head.
I’m really not sure how to breach the gap between us or even if we can. There’s always been something there, but as I’ve gotten older, she can’t stop with the jabs. Sometimes, I’ll look at her after she’s made a cutting remark about something I’m doing and she always looks as though she genuinely believes what she’s saying.
“Mara, do you have a minute?” Callie asks, gaining a frown from Reece.
