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“And you need to give me your phone number because I don’t have it. I will send you pictures of Total every single day. I promise.”
“I’d like that,” Tess says and they start chasing after Total, who is busy finding filthy things of interest in the grass.
Matilda wraps herself in a thick shawl even though it’s not cold out. “Turn on the patio lights. And don’t let that dog near the pool.”
Total doesn’t even try to catch the ball. Despite Charlotte’s constant encouragement, he starts to run after it, loses interest, and finds something more worthwhile to sniff. Tess kneels right down in the grass and cheers for the two of them anyway.
Meanwhile, Conner and Gage have wandered off during a quiet conversation. They stand in front of the huge swimming pool, where the fake waterfall continues to run year after year and the diving board stands empty. It’s a blast of memories, seeing my two cousins out there and recalling the endless hours we spent in that pool, in this backyard.
There are far less pleasant memories here too. If I look to the left, I’ll see the dark quadrant where Olivia spoke her last words and then swallowed her death.
But I won’t look to the left at all.
Instead, I look at Tess.
Dani sidles up next to me, somewhat subdued as she crosses her arms.
I take note of her red eyes. “Are you okay?”
She worries at her lip and looks down. “Cecile has forbidden me from crying over her. That will be a tough order to follow.”
“She’s one of a kind, that’s for sure.”
Dani perks up and raises her head before gesturing across the lawn. “Guess who else is one of a kind?”
Tess, still crouched in the grass, laughs when Total attacks her with his grubby little paws. She’s wearing a dark purple dress that’s now going to be covered in dusty dog prints but she doesn’t seem to mind. Total’s furry body shakes with glee as she lavishes attention on him.
Charlotte runs over and examines them with approval. “He loves you, Tess. And he doesn’t love just anyone. If he loves you, then it means you’re special.”
“The dog has good taste,” I mutter out loud, unable to force my eyes away from Tess. Even in the dim twilight she’s luminous.
Fucking radiant.
I don’t know what it’s called when a girl can make your pulse race with a smile but it’s something I haven’t felt before.
Dani hears my comment and elbows me with a smirk. “Seems like you have good taste too.”
Not going to argue with that.
Chapter16
Tess
My brain pleads for calm but my heart capers in my chest like a frightened rabbit.
The drive from downtown to West Emerald has never taken so long. I blow through a red light only to get caught behind a minivan at the next one a hundred yards away.
Then I finally scream with frustration.
Less than thirty minutes have elapsed since my uncle’s call yet I could swear I’ve been battling rush hour traffic for two days. At last I reach the neighborhood gates, tapping my fingers on the wheel while they swing open with maddening leisure. Within ten seconds my tires are squealing into the driveway. I don’t even bother with the garage.
Josh must have been waiting by the door because he opens it while I’m galloping up the flagstone walkway.
“He’s okay,” my uncle assures me. “The doctor’s with him.”
I halt in my tracks and gulp in a breath of relief. “Where is he?”
“In his room.”
