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“Of course.” She flips her hair dramatically. “Ocean Bay would crumble without my superior coffee-making skills.”
I snort, shaking my head. “Sure, that’s what’s holding the town together.”
She wiggles her brows. “You missed me.”
I sigh, smiling despite myself. “Yeah, I did.”
Her expression softens, just a bit. “Good. Because I missed you too.”
A beat passes, warm and unspoken. She sits up, tilting her head as she studies me. “And you? How are you really?”
I open my mouth to sayI’m finebut the words stick. Instead, I glance around the living room, searching for something else to focus on.
That’s when she says it. “I’m glad you’re back,” she murmurs, running a hand along the back of the couch. “At least Grandma’s house will have some life in it again.”
I freeze. A second too long. And she notices.
Stella’s eyes narrow, sharp and knowing. She knows me too well. “Okay,” she says, slow. “What’s wrong?”
I force a smile. “Nothing.”
Her brows lift. “Emma?”
I wave a hand. “I swear, it’s…”
“Uh-huh. Try again.”
I sigh, slumping onto the armchair across from her. “It’s just… complicated.”
She leans in. “Complicated how?”
I grip the cushion beneath me, fighting the urge to bolt.
Just tell her.
I exhale, rubbing my forehead. “Bryan owns half the house.”
Silence. I don’t dare look up. Not yet. Then…
“Wait. What?”
I peek up, and yep. There it is. Stella looks like I just told her aliens landed on Main Street.
I groan, dropping my head back against the chair. “Grandma left the house to both of us. Fifty-fifty.”
Stella blinks. “I … what?”
“And we must live here. Together. For three months.”
The words land like a bomb. For a second, she’s completely silent. Then she bursts out laughing.
I glare. “Glad you find my misery entertaining.”
“Oh, babe.” She wipes at her eyes, still giggling. “This town is gonna have a field day with this.”
I groan, shoving a pillow at her. “Not helping.”
She catches it, still grinning. “I mean… come on. Your grandma totally did this on purpose.”