Em (The Summer My Life Began Book 1) Read online

  Tears press my eyes and I give into them as she holds me. “I’m so sorry.”

  “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “I shouldn’t have said anything. Mom yelled at you. I got you in trouble.”

  Aunt Tilly rubs my back. “Oh, please. You did not get me in trouble. I’ve been in trouble with my family for as long as I can remember.”

  I let out a watery laugh.

  Aunt Tilly releases our hug to cradle my face in her hands. She gives me a tender, loving look.

  “Am I going home?” I whisper.

  Gently, Tilly strokes her thumbs over my wet cheeks. “You’re not going home until you decide to go home. I spoke with your mom again last night after she’d calmed down. I spoke to your grandmother as well. Everything’s okay. Just next time promise me you won’t trust your caller ID?”

  I sniff. “I promise.”

  “Now, I’ve got a Sunday brunch waiting for you to make. Get cleaned up and get downstairs. Domino’s waiting.”

  Aunt Tilly leaves and I climb out of bed. I don’t feel like a weight’s been lifted, but I definitely feel better than when I woke up.

  I get myself together and head downstairs.

  Twenty minutes later I peel the bottom half-inch of the asparagus and Domino adds olive oil to the almonds and bread-crumb mixture.

  Just as I get into a groove, my cell buzzes, and I check the display. It says Rose but I’m not trusting it. “Hello?”

  “Oh my God, I can’t believe you sunbathed topless!” Gwenny screams.

  I cringe. “Why are you calling me on Rose’s phone? More importantly, why did Mom have your phone?”

  “Because I’m grounded.”

  “What’d you do this time?”

  “It doesn’t matter. Listen, I’m only calling to wish you good luck. Today’s your big brunch day. I know you’ve got to be busy.”

  I lay the asparagus out on a sheet pan. “Thanks. I’m actually preparing as we speak. By the way, I didn’t actually go topless.”

  “I know but I’m telling everyone you did.” She lets out an evil little giggle.

  I roll my eyes.

  “Well, good luck. I wish I was there to see you in action. Call me after and tell me how it went.”

  “Will do. Love you. Bye.” I hang up and get down to business.

  While Domino cuts lemons, I drizzle the asparagus with oil, lightly ground kosher salt and pepper over the top, and slide the pan into the oven. In twenty minutes I’ll sprinkle it with a layer of parmesan cheese.

  I arrange the salmon in a couple of roasting pans, dividing the breading evenly among the fillets. As I do, I glance out the kitchen window. I wonder where Cade is.

  Domino zests lemon into a two-quart pot full of bubbling strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, and water. While it thickens, he browns rice in a large skillet. I heat butter in a saucepan and stir in onion, celery, and curry powder.

  Jeremy is supposed to be here, too. I hope things aren’t too awkward with both him and Cade coming.

  Domino turns the heat low and stirs dried cranberries, currants, fig, pear, and sunflower seeds into the browned rice. I grate nutmeg into my buttery concoction and merge it with his.

  Domino checks the asparagus. I test the salmon with a fork. He hands me a tasting spoon. I adjust the heat under his strawberry sauce. He pinches more salt into the rice. I toss him a whisk.

  The timer goes off and we both smile.

  “We’ll serve up,” I tell him, “and then start in on the mango mousse.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Aunt Tilly swings through the kitchen door. “Jeremy’s here. You got a minute to say hello?”

  Before I can answer, Jeremy comes in carrying a bouquet of flowers. “For the chef.” He presents them to me.

  I smile, a little surprised, and give him a hug. “Thank you, you didn’t have to do that!”

  “I know you’re busy, so I’ll scoot on out. Dinner tomorrow night?”

  “Oh, uh, sure.” But what if Cade wants to spend time with me?

  “Great.” Jeremy pushes out the door and I take a whiff of my colorful bouquet. It’s the first time a boy ever gave me flowers.

  Domino slides a glass vase of water across the island at me. “Plunk them in there. We’ve got work to do.”

  I slide the flowers into the water and place the vase across the kitchen on the windowsill.

  Domino and I plate the meals. I scoop up jasmine rice with dried fruit and position it in the middle. On top, I place a piece of almond-crusted salmon and drizzle it with strawberry sauce. On either side, I put spears of parmesan-roasted asparagus and lemon wedges.

  “I’ve already set the usual out on the buffet,” Domino tells me.

  He means the eggs and bacon. He’d gotten up extra early to get all of that done. What a sweet man.

  As we get the plates ready, we lay them out on the counter. Tilly and Frederick deliver them to the guests. While they tend to the dining room, Domino and I start the final touches on the mango mousse.

  I prepared it the night before and left it to chill in the refrigerator. One by one we pull out the individual molds and transfer them to pretty little dessert bowls. We garnish each with mango slices, mint leaves, and chocolate wafers.

  Tilly and Frederick bring in empty plates and take the mousse out to the diners. As the last mousse disappears off the center island, I take a step back. I did it!

  A shadow flickers past the kitchen window as Cade walks by. He comes through the back archway carrying a small bunch of wildflowers.

  He crosses the kitchen to where I stand and hands them to me. “Hey, sorry I’m late. These are for you—as good luck.”

  I take the bundle of handpicked flowers, tied hodge-podge with a string. Getting the bouquet from Jeremy had been sweet. From Cade, totally, completely unexpected. I don’t know what to do.

  Of course, I inadvertently glance over at Jeremy’s gorgeous store-bought bouquet.

  Cade follows my glance. “Oh, um, those are pretty, too.”

  “They are.” I hug his to my chest. “I love wildflowers. These mean the world to me. Truly.”

  His lips do that sexy half-tilt thing. “So, is there any food left?”

  With a nod, I grab a plate. “Have a seat and I’ll fix you some.”

  Aunt Tilly swings back into the kitchen. “Everyone wants to meet the chef!”

  Cade takes the plate. “I got this. Go on out and meet your fans, Chef Em.”

  Chef Em.

  Boy, do I like the sound of that.

  Chapter 23

  The next day Frederick and I spend it together. We buzz around on the moped, boogie board in the waves, and we eat fish tacos from a food truck.

  By late afternoon we’re across from each other at the chessboard. I don’t want to get too excited, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to win this game. It’ll be my first.

  “I’m still riding the high of brunch. It really did go great, didn’t it?”

  “Of course it did.” Frederick leans in, studying my last move. I just put him in check. “I didn’t doubt it would be for a minute. No one did. Domino thinks you’re really talented.”

  “Thanks.” In the short time I’ve known Frederick, I’ve come to adore him. We click on this weird level that I’ve never been on with anyone else. I want to tell him that, but figure it’s too mushy of a thing to say. I’ll continue letting our relationship unfold naturally and hope that even after I leave, we’ll stay in close touch.

  My cousin slides his king behind the queen.

  I don’t hide my grin as I take his king. “Checkmate.”

  “Oh!”

  Laughing, I push back from the table. “I have to get ready for my date with Jeremy.”

  Frederick resets the board. “You’re not going out with Cade?”

  “No, why?”

  “I heard him mention he had a date, and I just assumed it was with you.”

  “Oh.” Crap, who’s he going out with?r />
  “Well, have fun with Jeremy.”

  Up in my room I get dressed, trying to ignore the jealousy cloud slowly settling in. I have no right to feel this way. After all, I’m going on a date, too.

  Yet, I am jealous.

  I quickly change into a white wraparound skirt and a graphic tee, and Jeremy picks me up out front.

  Just like before, he’s wonderful. Perfect, in fact. I try to focus all my dating energies on him but unfortunately, my thoughts stick to Cade. Am I the first girl he’s ever handpicked flowers for?

  “Em?” Jeremy says, bringing me from my thoughts. “I really like you. This has been a lot of fun.”

  “Yeah. It has been.” The words feel forced coming out.

  Our dinner bill comes and I reach for it. “You got the last one. I’ll get this one.”

  His eyes widen. “Really? Thanks. Want to get ice cream then? My treat.”

  “Sure.”

  I pay and we’re about to leave when I spot Cade.

  “Hey, guys.” He walks up to our table.

  Excited nerves jitter through my stomach more in this second than it has with Jeremy all night.

  Cade holds his hand out to my date. “Hey, man.”

  The two of them launch into a conversation—sports this and teams that—while I patiently wait. All the time drinking in the sight of Cade.

  “So you here alone?” Jeremy asks.

  Cade motions across the restaurant. “I’m here with Mackenna.”

  I glance across the restaurant and recognize Mackenna as the girl he’d been talking to at the juice stand in the farmers’ market.

  “We were just about to hit Pedro’s ice-cream shop,” Jeremy says. “You two want to join us?”

  While my heart does a happy little skip at the thought of being with Cade, I’m less than thrilled at the idea of Mackenna hanging on him—and at the idea of me trying to focus on Jeremy.

  “Oh.” Cade looks at me. “Uh, you sure?”

  I nod. “Yeah, that’d be great.”

  Cade heads off to inform his date, and Jeremy and I meet them outside. We walk a block or so away from historic Key Street and into a residential area. On the corner lot sits an old house with a timber barn and a detached garage that’s been transformed into a sweet shop.

  In the yard, a goat and a miniature horse graze on short grass. Over on the porch, a pig lays on a rug. I follow them through the small gate and across the yard where several small tables sit.

  “I feel like I’ve just stepped into a children’s book,” I say. “This place is great.”

  Through the open garage door, a stooped over elderly man waves. “That’s Pedro,” Jeremy tells me. “His family used to own pretty much all of Anna Island. Now he has this corner lot and he makes the best homemade ice cream.”

  I look at the line, long with waiting customers. “Looks like he does good business.” We take our places and make small talk while people place orders and the line inches forward.

  When we get up to the front, Pedro’s wrinkly old face curves into a welcoming smile. “I know these three faces,” he says, nodding to the boys and Mackenna. “You must be Tilly’s niece.”

  “Yes, sir. I’m Em.”

  “Domino and I are great friends. He’s been bragging about you.”

  Aw, I love Domino.

  Pedro nods to a bin labeled TONIGHT’S BLEND. “Every night I tinker with something new. Interested?”

  “Yes!”

  Pedro scoops a healthy portion into a cup. Then he serves up my friends. But I don’t wait for them. I’m too eager to try Pedro’s experiment.

  I sample a bit, letting it melt across my tongue. Pedro looks at me expectantly and my jaw drops. “This is pear and blue cheese. I love it!”

  Mackenna wrinkles her nose. “That sounds gross.”

  Jeremy does the same.

  Cade holds his spoon up and I extend my cup. He tries a little bit. I love that he’s willing to at least sample. Laughing, he shakes his head. “No, thanks.”

  I dig back in. Fine, more for me.

  We find our way over to one of the tables and sit companionably enjoying our treats. Overhead a cloud shifts and the moon glows bright and full.

  I try not to look at Cade, but in the end, give in to find him staring back. He smiles a little when our eyes meet, and it shoots warmth through my body. My gaze moves to Jeremy to see him carefully studying me.

  Inside I wince. Busted and guilty.

  “How long are you here?” Mackenna asks.

  “Just until the end of the month.”

  “I heard your brunch was fantastic,” she says.

  I like Mackenna. She seems sweet. “Thanks. How’d you hear that?”

  “Cade told me.”

  “Oh.” I glance at Cade again, and he looks away.

  Mackenna checks her phone. “Sorry, guys. Gotta go.”

  “I’ll walk you home,” Cade tells her, before turning to me. “I’m coming by to get the van. Got early errands in the morning.”

  I nod, hoping beyond hopes I’ll see him later. I watch them leave Pedro’s place and stroll off down the block before turning my attention back to Jeremy. Silently, he studies me, like he knows I’d rather be walking with Cade right now. I’m a horrible date.

  Jeremy takes me home after that. We exchange a quick kiss. He says he’ll talk to me later. I plan to call him first thing in the morning. If anything, to prove I’m not a complete jerk. I like Jeremy. He’s been nothing but great to me, but my heart just isn’t in it.

  As he pulls away, I turn toward The Pepper House and something catches my eye. I squint into the shadows, making out a person’s figure. “Cade?”

  “It’s Sid,” Cade’s dad says, stepping from the shadows.

  My heart pauses. “Sid?”

  “I didn’t mean to scare you.” He smiles a little. “How are you, Em?”

  “I’m fine.” I look around, confused and a little concerned. “Are you okay? What are you doing here?”

  He gives a guilty shrug. “Waiting for Cade, actually. I thought for sure I’d see him.” He pauses. “I’m his father.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  Sid appears a little surprised. “He told you that, did he?”

  He doesn’t talk about you, I almost respond. “No, Aunt Tilly told me.”

  “Ah. He doesn’t talk about me,” Sid says as if reading my thoughts.

  “No, not really.” I feel terrible admitting it to him.

  Sid comes closer. “So, how is he?”

  I hate that he has to ask a stranger that question. “He’s good, Sid.” What happened between you two? I want to ask but instead say, “He said he’d be here later. I’m not sure when, though.”

  “Well, tell him I came by, I guess.”

  “I will,” I assure him.

  I turn to go into the house just as Cade pulls up on a moped. He cuts the engine, glaring right at Sid. “What are you doing here?”

  Chapter 24

  “I just wanted to see you,” Sid says.

  “Well, you’ve seen me.” Cade gets off the moped.

  I stand still and silent, wanting to leave but not wanting to disrupt their conversation.

  Sid doesn’t say anything for a couple of seconds. “You’re still wearing that, huh?”

  I peer through the shadows at Cade just as he tucks the ring he wears around his neck down inside his shirt.

  “Do you visit her?” Sid asks.

  Cade doesn’t answer that question; instead, he studies his dad. “Do you?”

  Sid whispers, “Every day.”

  Silence.

  My gaze goes between them. What has happened to make them so distant from each other? Who are they talking about? What is the significance of that ring around Cade’s neck?

  More silence.

  “Um.” I take a step back. “I should leave you two alone.”

  “No, you don’t have to go,” Cade says.

  I stop backing away. I both want to st
ay for Cade, yet also want to leave. This isn’t my business. But I don’t want to make a scene by insisting I go.

  So I stay.

  “I know I screwed up,” Sid mumbles.

  Cade huffs. “Little late for that, don’t you think?”

  “No,” Sid says.

  Cade folds his arms over his chest. “What are you doing here? What do you expect? What do you want from me?”

  Anguish crosses Sid’s face. “Cade . . .”

  He sighs. “Just get on your boat, Sid, and sail away. That’s what you want to do anyway. It’s what you’re good at.”

  Slowly, Sid nods, disappearing down the driveway and into the night.

  Neither Cade nor I move, speak, or do anything for several long seconds. My thoughts reel with what I witnessed. Cade’s sadness. Sid’s humility. The tension between them. I don’t know what to think.

  But everyone deserves forgiveness, right? Clearly, Sid desperately wants and needs that.

  I clear my throat. “I think I’m going to go inside now.”

  Cade turns to me as if just remembering I’m here. “Don’t go thinking you know anything from what you just saw.”

  My mouth opens. It closes. It opens again. I don’t know what to say. He’s the one who told me not to go. “Cade, it’s none of my business.”

  “You’re right, it’s none of your business.”

  Sadness moves through me, but also irritation that Cade’s frustration now points to me.

  I don’t react, though. I force myself to stay calm. “I’m going to bed.”

  Cade takes a step toward me. “I don’t want you telling anybody about this,” he snaps. “This is my issue.”

  I hold my hands up. “I won’t. Goodnight.” I take a step away.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I just said—to bed.”

  His jaw clenches.

  “Cade, you’re clearly upset and you’re taking it out on me. If you’re wanting me to fight back, I’m not going to. So, what do you want from me?”

  He takes another step toward me. A couple of tense seconds pass as he stares at me and the more he stares, the more his shoulders release the tension.

  With a sigh, he shakes his head. “I don’t know,” he whispers.