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“I guess this guy’s all right,” she says, laughing.
Even my pulse quickens with the sexy look he gives her. The promise of so much more. Damn.
She looks at me and I feel like she’s trying to read my soul. We used to hang out sometimes when Theo was working. She was mature for her age, and we’d have long heart-to-hearts about how we envisioned our futures. For all the secrets I was keeping, those times sharing my dreams with her and with Theo felt like my safest place.
Any time with the Landmark family felt like my safest place.
But that was such a long time ago. I’m surprised any of them are giving me the time of day now.
“It did a number on us when you left the way you did,” she says softly.
I look up and see Theo watching us, but I don’t think he can hear what she’s saying.
“And it hasn’t been the same here without you. I really hope you’ll stay.” She reaches over and clasps my hand.
“Thanks for wanting me to. I wouldn’t blame all of you for hating me.” I look at Theo again and his jaw is tight, his mouth puckered into a scowl.
“The love outweighs the hate…at least as far as I go.” She leans in closer. “That man over there…I can’t speak for him.”
She turns to face me fully, and her expression is fierce.
I don’t want to cross this Scarlett Landmark; I never did, but this grown-up version of her…absolutely not.
My mouth opens and I want to say so much, but I don’t even know where to start. I nod and that seems to be enough for her. She takes another bite of pie and asks Owen which kind is his favorite. He saw her take a slice of each and wanted to do the same.
“Key lime,” he says with his mouth full. He turns to me. “You’re a really good pie-er, Miss Sofie.”
I smile at him but can’t help but think that if I’d never left, I would be his aunt by now. There’d be no formality of being called Miss and I’d already know all his favorite things.
“Thank you, Owen. I think the key lime is my favorite too. Do you like Oreo cookies?”
He nods fast, his eyes wide.
“Sometime I’ll have to make my Oreo cookie pie for you then. It’s another favorite.”
“Don’t make him promises you can’t keep,” Theo says.
Everyone stops talking and looks between the two of us. We stare at each other for whatever is long past comfortable.
Finally, I look at Owen. “If I’m lucky enough to be invited back, I’ll bring Oreo cookie pie. How’s that?”
“Yes, please!” he says, stuffing another bite in his mouth.
I look at Theo again and he’s got his hand in his hair, his waves going a little haywire. He looks angrier than I’ve ever seen him, and it’s the worst feeling, having his anger directed at me.
Theo’s always been a chill, laid-back guy. Funny, sweet, mischievous, yes—broody, sullen, angry, no. We had such an easy friendship when we were little and then later, when it turned into more, we knew each other so well and loved each other so much, there was never a reason to fight or to even have hostile words.
There might’ve been if you’d told him everything you were going through.
The thought nags at me, but I shove it down. It doesn’t matter anyway. He would have never been angry with me, but he would’ve had plenty to say. He would have been on my side. He would have been my protector.
I don’t know if I can ever undo the mistake I made of leaving him in the dark, and with the way he’s looking at me right now, I know it won’t happen overnight. I’m looking at eight years of animosity, enough to undo the eighteen years of bliss we had before that.
I push back from the table and look down at Grinny at the head of the table.
“Thanks so much for having me tonight, Grinny.” I glance around the table. “And to all of you for being so kind to me. I know I don’t deserve it. But whether you believe me or not, I have missed each of you.”
I stand and take my plate into the kitchen, setting it in the sink, and then I get out of there as fast as I can.
