AllFreeNovel
Share Us
So, I lift my head from the riveting adventure that is the empty parking lot below and muster a smile. “How do you feel about the possibility of retiring Scott?” I put my arm around her shoulder and give a little side hug, which may or may not be because I’m feeling slightly territorial.
Sebastian’s eyebrows go up, but his mouth stays in his permanent frown. “Scott?”
“It’s my little nickname for the mobile library.” Sophie giggles. “And I’ll still get to keep him for a long while yet. These things take forever. If the county approves it, there will be a bond election in the fall, and then we’ll go from there.”
Her smile is looking a little droopy around the edges. Her gaze skitters to mine and there’s something there, like she’s asking me to relieve this discomfort.
I’ll do anything to help Sophie avoid a prolonged exposure to my brother, so I turn to the nook, my hands spread wide. “I was just showing Sophie the space we’ve saved for the library. We’re waiting on the shelving to come in. Should be any day now, right?” I look at Sebastian, willing him to answer quickly and go away.
Thankfully, he starts to leave. “Any day now,” he says. He glances at Sophie, and I can tell that burst of surprise on his face—at how gorgeous Sophie is—is now covered by his usual mask. “Nice to see you again, Sophie. With your experience, we’d love any insights you might be able to give us for the library.”
Sebastian gives a slight wave of his downturned hand and heads away, his mind already on another subject.
I speak up. “That’s actually why she’s here. I’ve invited her to be our consultant and curator for the library.”
Sebastian turns halfway around, his eyes not meeting mine. He offers a second-long smile and a nod, but I know he’s not happy with me. I don’t often hire people without his consent, but hey, if he wants me in charge of operations at this resort, he needs to get used to me going off script sometimes.
Sophie is visibly more relaxed after Sebastian leaves and it has me wondering, with a rock in my chest, if that’s because she still has feelings for him. If there’s anything I have clear in my mind, it’s that I would never want to be second fiddle to Sebastian, at least not in this way.
Except, it’s a moot point because nothing is going to happen between Sophie and me.
I shore up my resolve to not let her and her endearing and confusing qualities affect me, and instead rotate to the other matter at hand.
“I—” I wonder how to phrase it. “I know the space is pretty small…”
Her lips perk up in a smile. “No, it’s good!” She steps towards the bare wall and sweeps her hand across it. Then she turns to the wall of windows off the balcony and looks again at the view.
“It’s fine that it’s small. It’s quaint and cozy. There might only be room for a couple of side chairs and a coffee table here, in front of the shelving units.” She taps her closed lips with a finger, her other arm wrapped around her middle.
“Right. And the view is sort of embarrassing.” I shrug, but soften my voice. “Wish we could have put it on the other side of the building with the lake views.”
She steps toward the windows. “The parking lot isn’t as appealing as the lake,” she agrees. Her eyes are big and her arm gestures amplified. “But we’ll make do. It’s going to be great. Really.”
She seems sincere, but I know her well enough to know there’s an underlayer of disappointment.
“I’m sure, with your help, it will turn out. And I can ask Sebastian about possibly moving it.” Why am I bringing up the brother I’ll never measure up to? I guess I like pouring lemon juice on those roughed-up papercuts. Besides, he runs a tight ship. Every inch of the resort has been spoken for since the planning stages.
“It’s okay. I can maximize the space. I’ve been doing that with Scott for years.” She gives a crooked smile. “I’m up for the challenge.” And the way she’s looking at me gives me the impression that she’s talking about more than the nook. Or am I reading into it?
The silence stretches out, and I hate it. She and I always had a good connection. Something different. At times, back in the day, we were so comfortable it felt like cousins.
But now? It’s nothing like cousins. I can’t get her out of my head. And I care way too much about what she thinks.
Which is a problem. It’s unacceptable because she used to like Sebastian. And I can’t do relationships with my schedule. I’m sort of her boss now, right? And she used to like Sebastian. And I’m leaving Longdale as soon as humanly possible. Oh, and just a friendly reminder to myself: she used to like Sebastian.
“I’m excited,” she says. She places a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll be pushing for it to be really nice. I’m talking as high end as the budget will allow. The resort is so luxurious. You don’t want to go chintzy here.”
Using the word “chintzy” in the same sentence as Tate International is not okay. I’m starting to feel like Sebastian with this Longdale Lake project, all protective.
“Nothing associated with Tate International has been or ever will be chintzy. Geez, Soph.”
“I’m not calling it ‘chintzy.’ Yet.” Her gaze teases me.
“We have a certain pride, you know.”
“Oh, I know that. You Tates and your pride.” She starts walking down the corridor and I have to scramble to keep up. “Sebastian’s the worst in that way, obviously. But I’ve always felt you were second worst. Or maybe Henry.”
“If you think Sebastian is the most prideful, why were you in love with him all those years?”
