Chapter Thirty-Seven
Brendon
Kaylee steps onto the stairs with the world's most content smile. She's already in some adorable sundress. One with a blue floral print and thin straps.
Her eyes brighten as they meet mine.
I have to force myself to direct my attention back to my sister.
This is giving too much away.
And I'm not doing enough to check in with Em. The school year isn't as big a deal for her—she started college officially back in June with summer courses, and she's only going part-time—but it's still a transition.
"You've been working more." I snap my piece of bacon in half and take a bite. It's salty, chewy, rich. Perfect.
"I like money." Emma stirs another splash of cream into her coffee. "I'm not going to suffer another 'you should be in school full-time lecture,' so if that's where you're going you can save your breath." She turns to watch Kay step into the main room. "Where are you going dressed like that?"
Kay's laugh is nervous. She twirls a long, blond strand around her finger. "With my hair a mess and no makeup?"
"That's a mess?" Emma shakes her head, sending crimson hair in every direction. "Life is unfair."
"True." Kay's eyes meet mine. Her smile gets wider. She's stupid happy.
Last night meant a lot to her.
I'm still turning it over. I'm going to be turning it over for a long fucking time.
It terrifies me, the thought of Kay doing anything to hurt herself. It hits me like a punch to the gut.
But, mostly, I'm humbled by her sharing that with me.
Fuck, I want to find every place she hurts and destroy it.
I don't think she's broken. But if she is, I want to be the glue that holds her together. I want that as much as I want the shop to succeed. As much as I want Em to thrive. As much as I want anything.
"There's more eggs and bacon in the pan." I nod to the kitchen. "And coffee."
"I'll make a tea." She nearly floats into the kitchen.
Is that all from spilling her secret?
Fuck, I can't imagine the weight of that.
Taking all that on her own—she's so fucking strong, so fucking brave.
Emma turns back to me. "Really? No lecture?"
"You want to stay part-time." I bring my mug to my lips. Damn. This coffee is good. Nutty. Rich. With that hint of toffee. It's the best fucking coffee I've ever had. Or maybe that's the smile on Kay's face. The honor and responsibility of her placing all her trust in me.
"Nothing about how I should work a little harder and get done in four years instead of languish for eight?" Emma takes a long sip. "Really?"
"You've worked retail for two years. You know what it's like. You know you'll be doing that forever if you don't go to college." The coffee warms me everywhere. No, that's Kay. "If you want to own a boutique one day, you'll need those business classes. Trust me."
"I do. It's just..." She scoops her eggs onto her fork. "Weird that you're being reasonable."
"I'm always reasonable." I eat the other half of my bacon slice.
Emma laughs so hard she slaps the table. "No." She turns to Kaylee, now pouring hot water into her mug. "Back me up here."