“I always told you how talented you are.”
; To my astonishment, Ava tears up.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“My mother would’ve loved to have something like this.”
I hug Ava with one arm. I met Mrs. Lindt one time. Unfortunately, she was in the late stages of her illness. Even so, whenever she spoke about her love for creating clothes, her eyes lit up. Ms. Lindt was one of the few people to tell me to go for my dream. She’d had the same dream when she was young, but she got pregnant and set it aside. She told me she didn’t once regret giving her dream up for her daughter but, given the chance, I should go for what I want. I made that chance happen. Now I only have to turn it into a success.
Ava interrupts my thoughts. “I offered before, and you rejected it, but if there is anything you need, a loan or something, tell me.”
“You introduced me to the Bennetts.” I point at the three sisters, who’ve stopped dancing. Now they hug each other, singing the refrain of the song playing on Summer’s phone at the top of their lungs. They’re adorable. “That practically means I owe you for life.”
Ava pulls a serious face. “Speaking about Bennetts, how are things between you and Logan?”
“Honestly? I want to pinch myself. He’s so...”
“I’d go with self-assured, but I think you’re about to say something else.”
“Perfect. He’s charming, attentive, not to mention sexy, even if he likes to behave like a caveman now and again. And that man cooks like you wouldn’t believe it.”
“So, you two are...”
“We haven’t talked about what we are or aren’t. I’m not going to bring up the topic of “defining our relationship” either. I don’t want to jinx what we have. I finally found a good thing, so I’m not taking any chances. I’ll enjoy it while I can, no matter how long it lasts.”
A dull ache spreads through my chest at my words. I miss Logan already.
Someone knocks at the door, and my stomach dips. It must be some neighbors, complaining about the noise. I can’t see what’s outside because I haven’t taken down the paper covering the windows yet. I’ll do that Monday morning.
When I open the door, I’m surprised to find Logan, Sebastian, Blake, and Daniel outside.
“Who is it?” Ava appears next to me.
“Bennett overload,” I tell Ava.
“Drunken Bennett overload,” she replies in surprise. I narrow my eyes and giggle. The boys seem to have drunk at least as much as we did. Sebastian appears to be the soberest, closely followed by Logan. Blake and Daniel are behind them, bickering over who has the more toned abs. Right.
Stumbling inside the store, the boys peek around for their sisters.
“We’ve come to say sorry,” Logan tells Pippa. “Haven’t we?” He throws the twins a death stare. Sebastian reinforces the threat by tapping his foot on the floor. Blake and Daniel don’t look sorry in the slightest, but they cower under Sebastian’s gaze. God, they’re all so adorable, I could hug them. I’m very huggy today.
“We’re sorry you were there to witness it,” Daniel says.
“I’d still kick his ass,” Blake clarifies. “But sorry we upset you.”
Logan remains silent.
Sebastian groans, dragging his hands down his face. “This apology plan is going nowhere fast. You were supposed to say ‘we’re sorry.’ No additions,” he admonishes.
“At least I can always count on them to be honest,” Pippa tells Sebastian.
“Especially after they’ve had a few shots,” he supplies. “They might’ve overdone it.”
“So did you,” Alice tells him. “Let Blake and Daniel be Blake and Daniel. Logan never pretends anyway; not even you can make him apologize. You’re the only diplomat in the family.”
“How did all of you end up drunk?” Summer asks.