Page 87 of Rekindle My Heart

The Daniels’s house felt like home to Erica. It always had. That was the reason she needed to leave.

“Be a dear and set the table for me. You know where everything is.” Doris Daniels motioned to the dining area as she slid a pan of Italian bread into the oven.

As if on autopilot, Erica opened the corner cupboard and pulled out the plates, then the drawer next to the dishwasher to get the silverware. Nothing changed in this house. Nothing except her and Ryan.

Were they friends? That was what they were in the past.

Were they lovers? Her hands shook and clanked the glasses a little too hard.

“Everything alright?” Ryan gently brushed the small of her back. His voice low and oh so sexy. A secret whispered between them. And damn, if it didn’t send a shiver down the back of her neck.

The forks in her hand clattered to the counter. His touch rattled her to her core.

“Just fine.” She scooted away. “Do you need any help with the salad, Mrs. D?”

“No, dear, I’ve got it. You go sit and relax.” Doris patted Erica’s arm.

Nodding, she slipped into one of the counter stools. She couldn’t quite make herself go into the living room and sit on the couch with Ryan. That felt too intimate sitting thigh to thigh as they chatted with his father. No, this was better.

“How’s Joey?” She hadn’t seen Ryan’s sister since the day she left for basic training.

“She’s in Germany. Two years into a three-year deployment.” Pride and sorrow mixed in her eyes. “We hope she’ll get to visit during the holidays.”

Doris took a pan from the oven, and visions of childhood dinners assailed Erica with each whiff of the delicious food.

“Would you tell the boys it’s time to come and eat?”

With a nod, she slipped from the stool and rounded the corner to find the living room empty.

Weird, Ryan was just here. Opening the door, she stuck her head out. Low voices echoed from the garage. Following the sound, she found the men, heads under the hood of David’s 1967 Mustang. The cherry-red paint gleamed.

“Wow, it looks the same as the day you bought it.” She snuck a look at Ryan. A twinkle flashed in his eyes. No doubt, he was remembering the night his parents were out of town and they took the car out for a cruise. It was before he started dating Sarah. They had such fun that night. Stopped at the DQ, then they strolled down to the river. She bit back a smile when Mr. Daniels looked her way.

“Yes sirree.” Dave stroked a loving hand over the chrome mirror.

“There you all are.” Doris appeared behind Erica. “I know you take every spare minute you can get with your mistress, but it’s time for dinner.”

“Coming, darling.” Dave chuckled and gave the car one more pat before they all returned to the kitchen.

At the table, Ryan sat across from her. His secret smiles and foot brushes sent shivers up her spine. She shouldn’t like it, these private looks they shared.

Dropping her head, she dug into her food. “This is delicious. Thank you for the invite.”

“Anytime. You know, I’ve always considered you family.”

The telltale tingle of tears threatened. No. Don’t cry. Her blinks increased. A weak smile crossed her lips as she nodded her acknowledgment.

She wasn’t family and never would be. She needed to remember that.

Erica sunk her teeth deep into the garlic bread. Joy shot to her taste buds, stopping the threat of waterworks, but her mind still circled around Mrs. D’s comment.

Family. How she’d dreamt of being part of Ryan’s family. Then, when he started dating Sarah, those sweet dreams turned into nightmares. Having to see him across the table with her at every family dinner with Sarah at his side.

Now, she didn’t know what type of dream this was. Then it hit her. It wasn’t a dream at all but reality. And reality was so very different. No way would they have the perfect family dinner. The day Sarah died all those dreams turned to ash. This thing between Ryan and her was temporary. Not happily ever after. Sarah took all of Erica’s dreams with her.

Erica was never meant to be the one sitting here. Her sister was.