Page 36 of Whiskey Proposal

“Buy it, Auntie Em.”

So I did, and I paired it with a cream top and sporty sandals I convinced myself would be handy living at Lane’s place. Then I pulled my hair back in a ponytail and curled the damn thing.

I refuse to resemble the dirty girl in old clothes I once was. When I emerged from my room, Lane’s hungry gaze ate me up from head to toe, giving this outfit new motivation. Suddenly, I couldn’t remember why I needed to look good.

It’s for me. I recall that now as I gaze out the window. Downtown is cuter than when I left. New business signs are interspersed with old ones. The streetlamps are new and have flower pots full of petunias attached. The darling of it all is the bakery, Dee’s Sweets.

My stomach clenches. I’m going to see people I know. Lane puts his hand on mine and gives me an understanding look. He maneuvers into a spot a few away from the bakery.

“What if I see people I went to school with?” I should shut my mouth, but dammit, he’s easy to talk to. “What if I see the girls who never invited me to their birthday parties after my mom left?”

“You’ve been better than them for so long, you don’t even realize it.”

“What about the boys who teased me for having a flat chest, but then bragged to their buddies that they took my virginity?”

Anger clouds his features. “They’re going to fucking regret fumbling you.”

Everything inside me melts faster than last night’s ice cream. The treat was delicious, but it was better hanging out with him. “I think five guys claimed to take my virginity, but I held on to that fucker until I was twenty-two. And that guy cheated on me.”

“Tell me who it was, and I’ll find him and put sugar in his gas tank.”

His threat fills me with the warm fuzzies. “I haven’t had someone defend my honor since Brooks heard one of those assholes talking shit his senior year. He caught him in the parking lot.”

“Did he get in trouble?”

“No, surprisingly, but it wasn’t a good look for the other guy. He was eighteen and I was fourteen.”

“Protective older brothers can be good to have around.”

My smile wanes. “Yeah. Until their girlfriend doesn’t like that the little sister is always around.”

His brows crash together and his lips thin as he pieces it together. “Hillary’s mom?”

“Yep. Used having a baby to justify Brooks kicking me out.” I shrug, feigning nonchalance I don’t feel. “I guess I can’t blame her. I was an adult, but it took me longer to finish school since I was waiting tables full-time. She got impatient, and they really did need the room.”

The furrow doesn’t leave his forehead. One day, I’ll quit spilling pathetic details about myself. Today is not that day. I hop out before I can repeat what Hutch said when I told him I wanted to leave Huckleberry Springs with Brooks. Lane does the same, coming around the front of the pickup to meet me. He rests his hand on the small of my back like he’s steering me into the bakery. I let him, soaking up his strength.

Inside, my gaze darts around. A young girl works behind the counter beside a dark-haired woman. The booths are filled with people. No immediately familiar faces stand out, except for the woman.

She sees Lane and lights up, smiling wide. Her gaze shifts to me, and her grin grows. She scurries around the counter.

“Emerson?”

She’s wearing leggings and an oversized shirt that’s tied down with an apron. Her hair is pulled into two buns at the top of her head.

She’s like an adult version of the Elodie Palmer I went to school with, but she doesn’t have the quiet seriousness I remember. Didn’t Elodie have a younger sister? “Clementine.”

She does a little shimmy. “That’s so cool. I always figure I’m forgettable.”

She does? That’s so sad, but who am I to talk? “Same.”

Someone emerges from the back, and that’s the Elodie I recall, glasses and everything. Clem waves at her.

“Elodie, it’s Emerson.” Clem winks at me. “Your sister-in-law.”

Elodie smiles at me, and I’m struck by how stunning she is. A sharp gaze with hazel eyes darker than mine and glossy black hair. She can’t hide in her baggy clothes. “It’s nice to see you. I hear you’re with us for a bit.”

“Seems that way.”