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“I was just using the bathroom.” Twyla thumbs behind her.
“Shayna, Violet, and I are going to go out next week and you have to come.” She loops her arm through Twyla’s and drags her down the hallway back toward the party.
Since I’m unable to divert my attention, I catch when Twyla looks back over her shoulder at me. There’s that damn feeling in my chest again.
Fucking heartburn.
Five
Twyla
The day after the engagement party, my brother calls to ask if I want to meet up with him. He’s totally doing a welfare check on me, but I agree because I love hanging out with Miles.
I love the outdoors, but I’m not a big fan of the cold. Living in Connecticut meant I spent the majority of the year inside. Since it’s a beautiful September day, I suggest that we meet at Golden Gate Park. Miles agrees, and after some snuggles with Kiwi, I head out.
I spot my brother a few minutes after I arrive, his baseball cap and sunglasses in place. This is pretty typical if we’re going to be lingering in public. It’s not like he’s the world’s biggest movie star, but fans do recognize him, especially during football season.
“Warding off all your adoring fans?” I ask with humor.
He pulls me into a hug. “You know it.”
When we separate, we walk down the pathway farther into the park.
“Talked to Mom and Dad this morning,” he says.
I nod. “I figured. I asked them not to tell you I was here until I had a chance to see you.”
“That’s what Mom said. I can’t believe you thought I’d be pissed you were coming here to live. What kind of brother do you think I am?” he asks with mock offense.
“The best kind.” I bump him with my elbow. “But you have your own life, and I’ve only ever been a temporary distraction here. Most guys don’t want their little sisters cramping their style long term.”
He laughs. “I don’t have much of a style for you to cramp.”
“You’re a professional football player. I’m sure you could have as muchstyleas you wanted.”
He shrugs as we walk around an elderly couple holding hands. “Sure, but you know me. I’m not interested in clout-chasers. When I’m ready to settle down, I need a woman whose mind turns me on as much as her body.”
“They can’t be that impossible to find.” I glance at him.
He doesn’t answer right away, looking pensive. “Not impossible, no. But pretty damn difficult.”
“Well, I’m sure it’ll happen when you least expect it.”
“Yeah, maybe. What about you? You think you’ll start dating again soon?” He leads us toward the Shakespeare Garden.
“No, Miles, I’m not going to start dating soon.”
“Why not? You’ve already given enough of your life to that piece of shit. You need to start getting on with life without him.”
I attempt to stem my anger as we pass through the iron gates and the archway into the garden. “I understand what you mean, but just because Mathew proved himself to be a douchebag doesn’t mean I’m not still mourning the loss of the future I thought I’d have with him. It takes time, and I’m not ready to move on with someone else.”
We sit on a bench and watch a small group of older adults do tai chi.
“I get it, I get it.” My brother squeezes my shoulder. “I just want to see you happy again.”
I sigh. “I know. I’m getting there, I am. It just takes time. Being here will help give me some distance from everything that went down.”
He nods and looks off into the distance. “I know I can be overbearing at times—”
