“I know, that’s one of my favorite stores.” Though she wasn’t a household name, Sierra was an honest-to-god movie star, so maybe that was why she could afford the prices at that shop.
“I’ll order some stuff today.” I was deliberately vague about where I would order it from, but it definitely wouldn’t be that store.
“Good. Now tell me about everything else. Do the kids come hang with you? Have you met the reclusive brother-next-door yet?”
“Not really.” And that bothered me, but I didn’t want to talk about it right now. Instead, I told her what I’d just learned about him building the deck.
“Wow,” she said. “He must be really good with his tools.”
I rolled my eyes. I hadn’t known Sierra that long, but I’d gotten the impression from Kylie that the actress wasn’t particularly boy-crazy, or whatever the grown-up version of that was. But maybe she was just doing her best to cheer me up. There was a lot of that going on around here.
To change the subject, I asked about her writing. She’d been acting since childhood, and now, frustrated with the “arm-candy” parts she was offered, she was working on her own screenplay.
“Not so good,” she said. “I have all these good ideas in my head, but then when I try to type them out, they sound idiotic.”
“I’m sure they don’t.”
She gave a rueful chuckle. “I could send you something and prove you wrong, but I want you to feel better, not worse.”
We chatted for a bit more, until she got a phone call from her agent and had to go. I spent the next hour looking at dresses and undies online. I was just about to complete a purchase when it dawned on me that I didn’t even know the address here. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It seemed to prove how quickly my life had gone off track.
By the time I figured out the address through my phone’s GPS, a car had pulled up outside. I heard Spencer and the twins in the living room, so I made sure my legs were covered before anyone came in.
A few minutes later, it was Lucas who visited first. “Dad wants to know if you want your after-school snack here or at the table.”
“I get an after-school snack?”
“Of course,” Lucas said, as if it weren’t even a question.
“I’ll have it here, then. I went to the doctor’s today and had a shower, so I’m pretty tired now.”
“I’ll go tell Dad.” He turned to go.
“And Lucas?” The little boy turned back, his green eyes inquisitive and bright. “Thanks.”
His smile warmed me. I hadn’t had any younger siblings or cousins, so spending time with kids this age was a new experience. I hoped I could do more of it soon.
“Hungry?” Spencer appeared in the doorway with a plate and a glass.
“Definitely.” I hadn’t been before, but the sight of him and the smell of food somehow changed things.
I pulled the little wooden tray over my lap, and Spencer set down a plate with pizza rolls, carrot sticks, and apple slices. “Thanks. What’s that?” I asked, indicating the glass.
“It’s a local favorite.” He set it on my tray. “It’s pretty sweet, but since you’re such a big fan of sweet tea, you should be able to handle it.”
Trying to hide a grimace, I nodded. Then Spencer laughed. “It’s apple juice mixed with sparkling water—one of Charlotte’s favorites. If you don’t like it, I’ll get you tea. Regular tea, not the sweet kind.”
I picked up the glass, grinning a little when I saw the bendy straw in it. It was kind of fun to eat like a little kid. I took a sip, and the carbonation made my tongue tingle, but overall, it was good. “Please tell Charlotte I like it.”
“I will.”
Suddenly, I remembered his earlier request. “I want to spend time talking with Charlotte, but I haven’t gotten much of a chance yet.”
“Of course not. It’s been a rough week for you. But if you’re feeling better, maybe you can spend some quality time with her this weekend.”
“I’d like that.”
He asked about the doctor’s appointment, and I filled him in. That reminded me of something else. “Thank you so much for all the upgrades to the bathroom. I hope it won’t bother the twins.”
“They’ll be fine.” Spencer’s brown eyes focused intently on me. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Are you wearing my shirt?”
I had to stifle a giggle. “Yes.”
“Okay.” He hesitated. “May I ask why?”
“It’s kind of a weird story,” I said, and then gave him the short version.
“It looks good on you,” he said when I was done.
“Thanks.” It felt good, too. Like being hugged by him. “Now can I ask you something?”
Smiling, he gestured for me to go ahead. “Sure, it’s your turn.”
“Don’t get me wrong, the additions to the bathroom are great, but it kind of feels like your brother is avoiding me. Do you know why?”