by Addison Cole
“Morning,” she said to Violet, who had on the same black bikini top she’d worn yesterday and another pair of cutoffs. She looked relaxed and ready to hang out on the beach, but Desiree hoped she’d help her out with the items on her list.
“What are you working on?” Violet peered over her shoulder.
“I made a list of things we need to do to get the shop going. I didn’t see a sign out by the road, so I thought maybe we could make one so people know we’re open. Unless you saw one stored away somewhere? I didn’t check the closets. I guess I’ll do that first.” She made a note to check the closets. “I also made a plan for working at the shop.” She knew Violet had a hard time with schedules, so she didn’t call it that. She pushed the notebook across the table. “I alternated mornings and afternoons, so neither of us is stuck there all day.”
Violet smirked. “A schedule? Seriously?”
“It’s a plan, not a schedule.” Ignoring the deadpan look her sister was giving her, she pushed a little harder. “Why not? I’d like to know when I need to work and when I can go to the beach, or out with Rick, or—”
“Sorry, Des, but I really do suck at schedules.” Violet pushed the notebook away. “Although I’m glad you’re hooking up with Rick. That should loosen you up.”
Why had she thought this was going to be the easy part of getting organized? A schedule was rudimentary. It wasn’t like she was asking Violet to make the schedule.
“I’m not that uptight. But I do like to know my plans. Otherwise, how will we know who’s running the shop and when?”
“We live in the same house,” Violet pointed out. “I’m pretty sure we’ll figure it out.”
“I’m sorry, Vi. I thought I could try to do this without a schedule, but I can’t even begin without some sort of plan. It won’t work for me. I’m just not wired that way. I like knowing where I have to be and when I have to be there so I can plan my week.”
“Plan your week? No wonder you’re so uptight. And just call it what it is. A schedule.”
Desiree fought the urge to roll her eyes. “Look. I’m not asking for much. Just give me an inch and at least consider it? If you don’t like what I’ve laid out, we can change it. It was just a starting point.”
Violet sighed. “I’ll look it over, but I’m telling you, schedules are not my thing. It’s not like I don’t want to stick to them. I’m just not good at it.”
“I appreciate you trying,” Desiree said, hoping for the best. “At some point we need to go through Lizza’s things and figure out how much the mortgage is. I was so shocked at her leaving, I forgot to ask.”
Violet reached on top of the refrigerator and tossed an envelope onto the table. “I found this in the den.”
Desiree took the envelope. “I looked around the whole house and I can’t find any renovations except in her studio. And that’s a mess. The walls and ceiling have been ripped out, but it looks like she was using it that way. I can’t figure out where she’s spent enough for a mortgage of any substance. It makes me wonder if there’s any debt to be paid. It would be just like her to lie about that, too.”
Violet pointed to the envelope.
Desiree withdrew and quickly scanned the contents from the envelope. “Is this some kind of joke? How could she get a fifteen-year mortgage for three hundred thousand dollars? She doesn’t have a pot to pee in. When she said there was a mortgage for renovations, I was thinking, fifty, maybe sixty thousand.”
Violet waved her hand around the room. “The house is worth millions. Bay-front property on Cape Cod. Think about it.”
“But why would the bank give it to her? She doesn’t even have a real job.” She set Cosmos on the floor and paced the kitchen.
“She probably sold them on the idea of reopening the inn, and everything on the Cape is hugely expensive. Renovations that cost fifty thousand in Virginia are probably twice that here. The question is, where’s the money? She said she’s been renovating, but obviously that’s about as true as the reasons she brought us here.”
“The next mortgage payment is due in three weeks. Why would she do this? Before Grandma’s funeral, I hadn’t seen her for years. Years, Vi.” She paced. “Wasn’t it enough that she ruined my childhood? Does she really need to mess up the rest of my life, too?”
“Careful, Des. You’re going to pop a vein or something.” Violet pushed herself up and sat on the counter, her bare feet dangling, like it was just another summer’s day.
“How can you be so infuriatingly calm?” She was too angry to even begin to figure out how they’d come up with the money for the next mortgage payment. She had savings, but that was her hard-earned money to be used in case of emergencies. She didn’t earn much, and it had taken her a long time to save it up.
“Because while you’re whining about how she ruined your childhood and you’re not used to her antics, this is what I grew up with. This is normal for me.” Violet pushed from the counter.
“What does that mean?” She glared at her sister. “And I’m not whining. I’m just pointing out a fact.”
“Trust me, you were a lot better off in Virginia with your father than traveling the world with her. You have no idea what it was like moving every six months, never having friends long enough to build relationships. Never knowing what country I’d be in next.” She shoved her feet into a pair of black leather boots by the kitchen door, grabbed her keys from the counter, and stormed outside.
“Wait!” Desiree chased after her and grabbed her arm.
Violet spun around, her eyes throwing daggers. “It’s not your problem.”
“It is my problem. I never thought about what you were going through. I thought you loved living with her, that you were just like her. Free-spirited and perfectly happy traveling around the world.”
Violet turned away, jaw clenched tight.
“Please don’t drive off. You’re my sister, and we’re in this together. We may not know each other very well yet, but we’ve got all summer.” The tension around Violet’s mouth eased. Not a lot, and if she weren’t looking for it, she might have missed it. But it was enough to make her want to try harder.
“I’ll take away the schedule,” Desiree offered, hoping it would help.
Violet smiled, and an incredulous laugh fell from her lips. “You didn’t even want to stay for the summer in the first place.”
“I know, but maybe this is our chance to finally become the sisters we were never able to be when we were growing up.”
“We’re so different.” Violet looked over Desiree’s yellow tank dress and strappy sandals.
“But we came out of the same womb,” Desiree gently reminded her, making them both smile. “You rushed up here when you thought I was in trouble. That has to mean something.”
“Yeah, that I didn’t want to lose the only person I have in the entire world besides her. I always thought that one day we’d, I don’t know, be able to hang out together. Find a way not to fight when we saw each other. And then I thought you were dying and we’d never have the chance. And if she’s the only person I have in this entire world, then I’m truly fu…screwed.”
“I’ve wanted that, too,” Desiree admitted.
An untrusting expression washed over Violet’s face. “You don’t have to say that to make me feel better. I’m sure when you’re at home I’m the last person you think about.”
It didn’t surprise Desiree that Violet didn’t believe her. They had nothing to base trust on. A couple of stressful weeks over the summers when they were younger hardly built a solid foundation. But they were on the cusp of a new turn in their relationship, and it was shrouded in possibilities. Her thoughts unexpectedly turned to her date with Rick. Apparently, this was her summer for stretching her boundaries in all directions. She inhaled a jagged breath, wondering how she’d survive so many emotions and changes at once.
“I do think about you. Maybe not in a missing you kind of way anymore, because we don’t have that type of relationship, but
I’ve always wished we did. Or could,” Desiree reiterated. “Come on. Please, Vi? Let’s both agree to give this a chance. How hard can it be to sell paintings and sexy stuff?”
Violet laughed. “Fine. Just turn those sad puppy eyes away from me.” She knocked Desiree with her shoulder. “She really messed us up, didn’t she?”
“I don’t know. You’re a world traveler and I’m a preschool teacher. We’re not doing so bad.” As she said it, she realized it was true, and she needed to stop thinking about how her mother had ruined her childhood. She hadn’t ruined it as much as she’d broken her heart. “I’m sorry I didn’t realize you were unhappy when we were younger. I wouldn’t have stopped coming here to spend time with you.”
“Des?” Violet asked as they walked toward the house.
“Hm?”
She held the screen door open for Desiree to walk through. “Stop being so good. It’s really annoying.”
“WHY ARE DATES so nerve-racking?” Desiree held up two dresses and turned toward her laptop, showing Emery her choices. It was nearly seven o’clock, and Rick would be there soon to pick her up.
“Don’t you have anything sexier to wear? And you’re nervous because you made out like horndogs last night and you know you’re on the brink of jumping his bones.” Emery made kissing noises.
“I am not going to jump his bones on the second date.” Desiree’s insides heated at the idea of jumping Rick’s bones.
“If I were you, I’d shed my clothes so flipping fast,” Emery pushed. “You really need to get new curtains. Those flowery things behind you are total mood killers.”
Desiree looked at the curtains, thinking about Rick in her bed. “Can you please stop talking about making out and moods? You’re making me even more nervous.” She tried to focus on choosing an outfit. She hadn’t thought she’d be dating, and almost everything she’d brought was either too casual or too proper. “I don’t know where he’s taking me, so I was trying to err on the conservative side.”
Violet popped her head into Desiree’s room. “Hey. I picked up the flyers. Did you get the signs done? And who weeded the patio? Does Lizza have a secret gardener? And if she does, is he hot? Tatted-up with a big co—”
“Violet!” Desiree pointed to the laptop.
“Sorry. Hey, Emery.” Violet came into the room wearing the same outfit as earlier, with a black hoodie over her bikini top.
After their talk this morning, she and Violet had worked together creating flyers advertising Devi’s Discoveries ~ Art and Personal Explorations, and sent them to a local printer. Desiree hadn’t been able to bring herself to go back into her mother’s studio, so while Violet was out putting up flyers, Desiree weeded the brick courtyard by the cottages. It made the place look a thousand times more welcoming.
“Hey, Violet.” Emery waved. “Since I’m not there to drag her butt out to the store, can you take Desiree out to get curtains? And please tell me you have something she can wear tonight on her date with Rick?” The two had never met other than a few brief hellos on FaceTime, but it was amazing how easily a friendship could develop that way.
At least for them.
On some level, it bothered her that Emery and Violet could communicate so easily. But on another, she was glad for it. She and Vi had never even thought of keeping in touch that way when they were younger. Then again, Vi hadn’t owned a computer until her late teens, when the space between them had widened like a canyon.
“Tomorrow night, Des,” Violet said. “You and I are going to Hyannis to get bedding and towels. I cannot sleep on pink sheets one more night.” Hands on hips, she ran an assessing eye over Desiree. “Didn’t you say he took you out with a stain on your shirt last night? Why bother primping?”
“Because he’s seen me drenched and stained. Don’t you think he deserves to see me cleaned up?”
“I think he’s already hooked,” Violet said. “But let me see what you have.”
“Des, I have to run. I’ve got a class tonight,” Emery said. “Good luck, and let me know how the bone jumping goes.”
“Bone jumping?” Violet’s eyes lit up.
“Thanks, Em. I appreciate that.”
“Love you, too!” Emery ended the call, and Desiree closed her laptop.
“How about this?” Violet held up a coral minidress with a halter top, which Desiree had bought with Emery last summer when they’d gone to Ocean City for the weekend. The straps tied behind her neck.
“It’s pretty casual.” She slipped off her bra and into the dress, feeling mildly self-conscious about undressing in front of Violet.
“First, those lace panties are fricking hot. Good choice. And unless he’s taking you to the Wicked Oyster, you can wear that dress. Besides, with that tan you’re rocking, you look incredible. Throw on some hoop earrings and maybe a few bracelets, and he’ll be jumping your bones by dessert.”
She did a mental happy dance knowing Violet approved of her panties, and quickly reminded herself that after last night’s make-out session, she should get ahold of her raging hormones and slow things down. “I don’t want him to jump my bones by dessert.” She started to take off the dress, and Violet grabbed her hand, stopping her.
“Desiree, you look pretty, not slutty. Don’t you realize how hot you are? You could wear baggy pants and a sweatshirt and he’d still want to jump your bones.”
Secretly pleased with Violet’s praise, she glanced at Rick’s sweatshirt hanging over a chair in the corner of the room. She’d tried to give it back to him last night. Keep it. I like seeing you in my things.
“Okay. I’ll wear it, if you’re sure it’s okay.”
Her sister held up a pair of dangling gold earrings. “It’s better than okay, and these are perfect. You don’t need hoops or bangles. You look amazing just as you are.”
A knock at the door sent Desiree’s heart racing, and Cosmos sprinting down the stairs. “That’s him.”
“Whoa, babe. Chill. I’d give anything to feel whatever it is that’s making you blush.” She grabbed a sweater from Desiree’s closet and handed it to her. “It’ll be cold later.”
Desiree stared at it for a second, warmed by her thoughtfulness. She put on the earrings as they descended the stairs. “And I’d give anything for your sense of calm. Any tips?”
“Jump his bones before he can jump yours.” Violet winked and pulled open the door.
Holy mother of hotness.
Desiree’s breath whooshed out of her at the sight of Rick wearing a pair of dark shorts, flip-flops, and a white button-down rolled up to his elbows, exposing his muscular forearms. He looked beyond handsome, but it was the rakish look he was giving her that practically melted her panties off.
RICK’S GAZE DRIFTED right past Violet to Desiree, stunning in a bright, summery dress that showed off her gorgeous legs. Would it be rude to plow past Violet and take Desiree in his arms? He’d noticed last night when they were kissing on the porch that his whiskers had left a little scratch beside her mouth. It was almost gone now, but he was glad he’d taken extra care to shave right before their date.
“If you two stare like that any longer, you’re going to burn holes through each other.” Violet pulled Rick inside by his wrist and leaned closer to Desiree. “I think you need to wear shoes.” She picked up Cosmos and headed upstairs.
Desiree looked down at her bare feet. “Oops.”
“Shoes are overrated.” Rick wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned down to kiss her cheek, wanting a much more intimate kiss. But after last night he didn’t trust himself to stop at just one. “Hi, beautiful. I thought about you all day.”
“I thought about you, too,” she said.
Man, he liked knowing that. “I thought we’d hit the Pearl for dinner, and then Drake and some of our friends are having a bonfire on the beach.” The Pearl was one of the nicer restaurants in Wellfleet, with a second-story deck that offered beautiful views of the harbor. “It should be fun if you’re up to it.”
&
nbsp; “Sounds perfect. I’ve never been to a beach bonfire.” She glanced at her feet again. “Just give me a second to grab my sandals.”
He watched her hurry up the stairs, unable to remember the last time he’d wanted to introduce a woman to his friends and family. He’d much rather be alone with Desiree, but his nephew had specifically asked him to come, and he’d do just about anything for that little guy.
A short while later they were seated at a table overlooking the marina. Rick reached for Desiree’s hand, lacing their fingers together. “Should we risk a glass of wine tonight?”
“One, yes. Three, no,” she said with a sweet smile. “The last thing you need is a sloppy drunk on your hands.”
“I think you’re mistaken. There’s no scenario in which I wouldn’t want my hands on you.”
Her cheeks flushed, and he leaned in closer. “How can I miss you this much after one date?” He pressed his lips to hers, wishing he could kiss her forever, but the waitress arrived.
They ordered dinner, and a few minutes later she brought their wine. After she left, he moved to the seat beside Desiree, wanting to be closer.
“Did Violet tell you Cosmos went for a swim again this morning?”
“What? No.” Her brow wrinkled. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m going to have to get him a puppy pool. I was hoping to see you when I brought him back, but Violet was sitting on the porch and she said you were still asleep.” He lowered his voice and said, “I think Cosmos wanted me to sneak up anyway.”
She pressed her lips together, as if she were holding back a naughty thought.
Let it out, baby. Let it out.
Her eyes darted away, and she took a sip of her wine. “We’ll take care of it. I promise. I wonder if he dug under the fence and escaped.”
“Let’s take a look together tomorrow and see what we can figure out.” He squeezed her hand. “You’re absolutely irresistible when you’re flustered.”
“Well, you’re not getting a very good impression of me with my inebriated state last night, my mother’s misbehaving dog, and the toy shop.” She whispered toy shop. “Not to mention how fast we…” She blushed a red streak. “Last night.”