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“I cannot argue that, but she’s bright and has a good soul.”
I frown. “What does that mean?”
Another withering look. “I’m having dinner tonight. Avery will be invited, along with Nancy and Travis. Six sharp.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Then, using the cane, which I think is more of a prop, she levers herself out of the chair. Just before she leaves the dining room, she stops.
“It’s good to have you here, Jon.”
I blink. I don’t think that she’s ever said that to me. “Are you sure you’re not sick?”
She nods and offers me a slight smile. “I’m more than fine. Don’t be late tonight.”
Then she leaves me to my thoughts, which of course, move on to the squatter who stole my house. My biggest problem is ignoring the heat that flares to life whenever I think of her. It probably has to do with the fact that I have felt every curve on her body.
I shake my head. I can’t get distracted by Avery, or I’ll never get my house back.
ChapterFive
Avery
My sister is staring at me like I have lost my mind. At least this is different from the condescending look she gave me yesterday. And yes, I’m accustomed to this look too. I like it better than the other one because this means I’m keeping everyone on their toes. It’s sort of my superpower.
“Do you want to explain that again?”
I shrug and settle down in the chair in front of her desk. I’m in theFlipping Texasoffice. She works for Nancy and Travis. She runs their office and keeps it in order, which I find amazing. I could never be that person, especially since Travis apparently hates to do anything office related, like turn in his receipts for anything. Liv doesn’t let him get away with it, though. I would just suggest we play hooky and worry about things later.
That’s probably why she’s looking at me like it’s my fault.
“I said Jon Howard showed up last night and accused me of squatting in my house.”
“That’shishouse.”
“No, it’s his grandmother’s, and I’m renting it from her.”
She takes a deep breath. I’ve seen her do this with my nephew. Most people would probably be embarrassed to be equated with an almost seven-year-old, but I see it as an accomplishment. I promised myself and Grannie Pam that I would live my life on my terms. Those terms seem to be juvenile and filled with Froot Loops. I’m okay with that.
“Why didn’t you come back to my house last night?”
“Because I’m renting the house from Estella. And she sent word for Jon to stay with her, and we would sort this out tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“Yeah, she’s having me over for dinner. At the big house.” I wiggle my eyebrows.
The people in the town have some kind of idea that Estella is uptight. Granted, she’s a little conservative compared to me, but who isn’t? There aren’t a lot of people who live life like I do. Estella can be a little stiff but give her a massive glass of wine or a few shots of tequila, and she’s so much fun.
Most people in small towns are always seen in one particular way. When you’ve lived decades in one town and are the wealthiest resident, people tend to think you are stuck up. There is no way to bust out of preconceived notions. And just between you and me, Estella is a huge Swiftie. We spend hours chatting about what each of her songs means and what she might be referencing.
We both hate John and Jake.
Liv’s worried voice drags my thoughts away from Taylor and Estella. That tone tells me she thinks I’m about to do something stupid. All of my siblings are great, but they will never see me as anything but the goofy youngest kid. The one who might or might not have blown up the chemistry lab in the high school back home. I look my sister straight in the eye so she understands that I’m not fooling around.
“Nope. Meredith wouldn’t like it.”
She’s staring at me like I’ve lost my mind. Again.
