Larkin crosses her arms over her chest. “No, I would like to hear Cooper explain what’s wrong with my brother.”
“Nothing’s wrong with him,” Cooper says. “Dr. Beau is a great guy.”
Thanks for that. Doesn’t help the massive pools of sweat gathering under my arms.
“So why would you be interested to hear what your parents have to say about them dating?” Larkin asks.
Cooper picks up his water glass and looks Larkin in the eyes. “You know, because of the fire.”
My stomach plummets, and the fear on Palmer’s face matches the fear that’s coursing through my body.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
NORA
Talk about an absolute dumpster fire.
I’ve known the Chance family for a while, since our parents are friends, so I’ve seen my fair share of their fights. I’m willing to bet most of the island has heard the hushed bickering in the back of their store or seen the uncomfortable glares the siblings give each other around town.
But this night . . .
Man, oh man, it is next level.
Larkin fluctuates between anger and the desperate attempt to get Ford to ignore what’s going on between his brother and sister.
Ford’s eyebrows are doing the cancan over there. Angry, then date mode. Angry, date mode. Up, down. Up, down.
Palmer started out with a vengeful confidence that screamed “insecurity” the minute we showed up, but now she’s wilting like a flower in the heat.
Beau . . . well, Beau looks like he wants to pull his scrotum over his head and hide.
Cooper is swirling the ice in his water glass like an evil mastermind, lost in his defense of pulling the attention away from him, which makes me slightly sad. He’s made such progress in growing into a new man and being able to communicate effectively. What is it about his siblings that makes him take two steps backward in his progress?
And me. Well, I’m trying not to outwardly show how my nipples have inverted from the awkwardness that has descended over the three cramped tables.
From an outsider’s perspective, I might look cool and calm, as if this isn’t bothering me, but that’s not the case. I’m trying to discern where this is all going so I can mentally prepare for what’s to come.
“What, uh . . . what about the fire?” Palmer asks.
“Good evening,” the waitress says, stepping up to us. “How are we doing?”
“Vodka and tonic, please,” I say, not even waiting for her spiel. Mama needs something to ease the discomfort settling over her shoulders. Alcohol, I need all of the alcohol.
Cooper glances at me and then at the waitress. “IPA. Could you bring those out first and then we’ll work on the menu?”
“Sure thing.” She moves over to Palmer and Beau. “Good evening—”
“A bottle of wine. I don’t care what kind, just bring me a bottle,” Palmer says.
“And an extra wineglass,” Beau adds.
“Sure, and for food . . .”
“We’ll get back to that.”
“Very well,” the waitress answers nervously and then moves over to Ford and Larkin.
“Water is fine for me,” Larkin says.
“Me too,” Ford says.
Ooof, talk about a stiff table. Yikes.
“And are you going to wait on the food?” the waitress asks.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t had a chance to look at the menu thoroughly,” Ford answers.
“I’ll give you more time.”
Once the waitress is out of earshot, Cooper says, “The Goody Two-Shoes down there, able to handle the night without alcohol. Congratulations.”
Something has snapped in Cooper. This isn’t the man I know; this is another version of him. An old version.
“I didn’t want to drink if Larkin wasn’t drinking,” Ford says. Boy sure looks like he needs one, though.
“If you want to get a drink, by all means get a drink. I didn’t get one because I’m afraid if I have one, I’ll have twenty, based on how this night is going.” She folds her arms and leans back in the booth.
Double yikes. Ford has an unhappy date on his hands.
“What about the fire?” Palmer asks, bringing us full circle once again. You can see the insecurity in her facial features. It’s clear as day. Something happened with the fire that she doesn’t want people knowing about.
“Palmer, just drop it,” Beau says with a shake of his head. The way he said that makes me believe he knows as well.
Huh, now I’m curious about the fire conversation.