Page 41 of Always and Forever
“Ethan youhaveto tell her.” Mila says, her voice rising again. “She’ll find out eventually; property ownership is public record. They can look it up any time now that the land title has changed to her name.”
I put my coffee down with a sigh. “I know, Mills. But what good does it do me to tell her now? She’ll know I’ve kept it from her.”
“So, what? You never tell her and hope she doesn’t find out that you knew before she did? Life doesn’t work that way, Ethan. You’ve got to come clean, apologize for not saying anything sooner, and hope she forgives you for lying by omission.”
I nod slowly. She’s right; I know she’s right. And I know how Summer feels about lying. I’ve really dug myself in deep.
My little sister gives a small smile, then lightly slaps me on the shoulder. “Come clean with her. You’re not good at keeping secrets.”
Just then the door opens and Finn walks in. My sister’s ear-piercing shriek leaves no question as to her reaction at seeing Finn again.
“Finn McNeill! Get your scrawny ass over here and give me a hug!”
I groan at my sister’s greeting. “Seriously, Mills? I don’t need to hear you talk about his ass ever again.”
“You’re just jealous.” Finn winks at me over Mila’s shoulder.
These two tried to date once, during the year we all happened to be in Vancouver for university at the same time. It didn’t work out, but they did manage to stay friends. Friends who love to give me shit about their past. Despite that, the idea of Finn moving to town makes me really happy.
“Alright you two, break it up. Mila, don’t you have cookies to decorate or something?”
Mila rolls her eyes at me. “Oh, relax big brother.” Turning back to Finn, she rests her hand on his arm. I narrow a glare at them, but Finn just smirks at me. He knows this riles me up, the fucker.
“Can I get you a coffee? Muffin? Croissant?”
“Thanks, Mila, but I’m good. Maybe after your brother shows me around town we can stop here for lunch. Do you still make that multigrain sourdough bread?”
I cross my arms in front of my chest, watching them be all chummy with each other. “If you’re done chatting about baked goods, can we get going?”
Mila walks over and smacks my shoulder. “Calm. Down. I’m allowed to catch up with an old friend.”
Finn chuckles and comes to join us. “Okay, let’s go, big man. Show me this amazing town of yours.”
We walk out the door of the bakery, only to be stopped by Hattie Henderson. “Mayor Monroe, I was going to come by city hall to have a conversation with you about our Summer. I was hoping to get your advice on how to approach something with her.”
Cryptic, but sort of in line with what we expect from Hattie. She’s kindhearted but takes the wordeccentricto a new level at times.
“Sure, Mrs. Henderson. Just call the front desk and have them put you on my calendar during one of my office days.”
Hattie nods satisfied with my response and carries on into The Nutty Muffin.
“OurSummer?” Finn says, one eyebrow raised at me. I shove him, and not gently.
“Shut up.”
“She’s the girl from the market, right? Sounds like it might be getting serious.”
I nod. “It is.”
“But?”
Damn. I forgot Finn is almost as intuitive as my sister. That’s probably part of why they never worked out as a couple.
“But I need to tell her something, and it might change how serious things are.”
“The Ethan I know never held back from doing what had to be done.”
We’ve reached the gazebo, and I lean against the railing, looking around the town square and thinking of the last time I was here, with Summer.
