Under the Boardwalk (Costas Sisters 1)

“Will you stay then?” her mother asked.

Ariana couldn’t go that far. She shook her head. “I need to live my own life. But I’ll come to visit this time,” she promised.

“If you have such a good life, how come you never discuss it?” Elena asked. “How come I don’t know anything about friends? Men? Your job?”

Ariana winced because her mother had hit a nerve. The life she didn’t talk about was dull compared to life here. Compared to Quinn and the excitement he brought into her days and nights, her life in Vermont was routine. Nothing out of the ordinary ever occurred. Her friends were carbon copies of herself, professors in conservative suits who met for coffee a few nights a week, and turned in early to work the next day. Nothing like her bright and cheery twin, whom she missed badly.

It was exactly the life Ariana had been seeking when she’d left her family behind. She didn’t expect them to understand it and so she kept details to herself, especially now when that life seemed pale in comparison.

She met her mother’s inquiring gaze and had no idea how to explain, so she merely shrugged. “I’ll try to be more open,” she promised her mother.

Elena nodded, a slight smile lifting her lips. “Okay then. How about you start with Quinn?” she asked, not being subtle at all.

Ariana laughed and hugged her mother tight. “I really did miss you,” she told her.

“Then prove it by talking.”

She grinned. “I hate to admit it, but I really like the man.” She drew the line at discussing exactly how much she liked him with her mother. “Unfortunately he’s got his share of secrets. He’s a hard man to get to know.”

“Aah,” her mother said, a knowing sound that gave Ariana the chills. “It’s not like you’re an easy nut to crack yourself,” she reminded Ariana. “Which means you two will have no trouble maintaining the element of the unknown that helps keep things interesting early on in a relationship. As for sexual attraction, well, I’ve witnessed the undercurrents between you. That’s not a problem either.”

While Ariana blushed at her mother’s frank talk, Elena nodded, pleased with what she obviously considered a good match. “Just remember, if you’re going to make it for the long haul, secrets have to give way to trust.”

“There is no long haul. He’s a loner and I’m only visiting,” she felt compelled to remind her mother.

Elena shrugged. “Then just sleep with the man. You wouldn’t want to miss out on a good time. Just make sure you use protection.”

“Mom!” Ariana said, appalled at such a suggestion from her mother.

“I’m not the one who dismissed the more serious possibilities.” Elena sent her a pointed look.

Ariana didn’t like being cornered by her own words.

As if sensing her daughter’s feelings, Elena changed the subject. “So, why can’t you sleep and why are you in your sister’s room?” She sat on the bed and patted the mattress, motioning for Ariana to join her.

Ariana curled her legs beneath her. She was happy to end the subject of her love life and welcomed the chance to talk to her mother about something more important. “Sam ran away again tonight.”

“Oh no.”

Ariana nodded. “Apparently her foster parents bought furniture for the baby’s room, which is the room Sam is staying in. It was delivered today.”

“Of all the thoughtless, inconsiderate . . .” A low growl escaped Elena’s throat.

“I agree. But there’s nowhere Family Services can place Sam right now. They’re waiting for a space in a group home to open. As long as she doesn’t cause trouble, her foster family has agreed to let her stay on until then,” Ariana said, explaining to her mother what Quinn had told her earlier.

“How understanding,” Elena said, not bothering to hide her sarcasm.

Ariana ran a hand over her eyes, which burned from lack of sleep and the tears she’d already shed.

Her mother rose from the bed and paced the floor. “Those people don’t deserve to have that child in their home.”

“Again, I agree. But there’s no denying that Sam’s better off there than in a group home.” Ariana shuddered at the mere thought. “But trouble is Sam’s middle name. She’s just not helping her cause.” Ariana wished she could do more for both Sam and Quinn, who felt somehow responsible for the young girl’s predicament.

“If Sam thinks she’s not wanted, she’s only going to act out more. I ought to know how teenage girls think, considering I raised two of them—” Elena snapped her fingers in the air, as if she had just thought of something important. “That’s it.”

“What’s it?”

“Me. Raising teenage girls.”

Ariana raised her eyebrows. “Sam? Are you talking about bringing Sam here to live?” she asked in shock.

Her mother nodded. “I have to go talk to your father. Of course, I need to soften him up first.” She shrugged her silk robe off her shoulders in a provocative gesture. “Now, you keep this between us until I’m ready to broach the subject with him at the right time.”