A hundred-pound weight settles on my chest. Yesterday morning he said we’ll find solutions together. Up until now, he’s always sought my presence when things went haywire. Why does he want to be alone now?
“Okay. You’ll tell me if you change your mind?” I ask.
“Yeah.”
“Alex, I’m really sorry about this.”
“So am I. Listen, I’ve got to go. I just wanted to tell you.”
“Okay. See you tonight. We’re still on for room service at ten, right?”
He has another photo shoot while I’m at Val’s, and it should last until nine.
“Of course. Have fun with your cousins.”
“Thanks. I will.”
Spending time with the Connors is always fun, but I’m not sure even Val’s cooking or Jace’s constant teasing will keep me from worrying.
Chapter Thirty
Summer
The cab drive to Val’s house takes forever, which gives me far too much time with my thoughts. I fiddle with my phone, itching to call Alex again, to hear his voice, reassure him somehow. But here’s the thing: I don’t know how to reassure him. No matter how you look at it, this blows. And he said he needs time to think. My being a nuisance wouldn’t help at all.
Even though it nags at me that he won’t at least let me be there for him, I shove my phone deep in my purse and look out the window.
Traffic is the one thing I dislike about LA. Not that San Francisco lacks in this department, but LA is considerably bigger. So is its traffic problem. I use this as an opportunity to admire the street fashion and art.
When the cab pulls in front of Val’s gate, I can’t help a smile. Her fence is painted in vibrant blue. A few months ago, it was green. She’s always changing something. Val is one of those people who can’t stay still for too long.
I push past the gate and up the cobblestone alley snaking up to her beautiful ranch-style house, which is on top of a rather vicious slope.
“I promise I’m going to turn the alley into stairs... eventually. Everyone complains about the slope, including myself. I’m looking for a landscaper, someone who can transform this whole space.” Val waits for me at the top, arms open. I walk right into them.
“I missed you,” I say.
“Back at you. Come on in, everyone’s waiting.”
“Oh, but I’m not late, am I?”
“Nah, but when I told them you’re joining us, they all came earlier.”
Val leads me inside the house, straight to the dining room, where all the Connors are gathered. Well, all minus Landon, Val’s twin brother. He’s in the Bay area.
We have many cousins, but I’ve always had a soft spot for the Connors. We’re related on my mother’s side. Their parents died when Landon and Valentina were freshmen in college, and the two of them came straight back home, gave up their scholarships and took care of their brothers and sisters. Jace pulls me into a bear hug, almost crushing me with those strong arms of his—hazards of being a professional athlete.
“Jace, you can let go now. The rest of us are waiting our turn,” Will teases.
“Ah, Mr. Sexy McHottie, always impatient,” I say, turning to him.
Their father, an Irishman through and through, was a mountain of a man, with rugged, handsome features. And the brothers inherited all that allure. There is no other way to put it, the Connor men are hunks, but I officially gave Will the nickname when he visited us one summer and all my girlfriends were swooning after him. If they could see him now.
Will scowls, shaking his head. “Can’t escape the Sexy McHottie jokes even now.”
My cousin Lori clears her throat, eyeing her young son, Milo.
Ooops. I forgot about the kid censorship, but I focus on Milo next.