Page 11

11

SUNNY

M y heart is pounding as I dig for my clothes, keeping my back to my big brother to conceal my burning face. I can’t believe I hugged him half-naked! I just kind of went overboard, like I always do. I probably shouldn’t have showed him my breasts either, but I wanted so much to let him know I wasn’t mad at him! I had to prove it somehow . Anyway , I think he got the point.

I find my baking clothes—yoga pants and an oversized t-shirt along with a new pair of panties and a bra that matches. I’ll change into my spare uniform at the diner later on, when it’s time to start serving.

I start to take the clothes into the bathroom to change. But then I realize that will look like I’m hiding myself from Kane , and I just told him he was free to look at me.

So, cheeks still burning, I turn to face him. As nonchalantly as I can, I slip off undies and throw them in the hamper. Usually I would take a shower, but there’s no time now so I just step into the fresh pair without trying to hide what I’m doing.

I can feel his eyes on me—those pale eyes that aren’t quite gray and aren’t quite blue. I can’t help remembering how he looked without his shirt. He’s so muscular all over—his muscles have muscles! Seriously , it’s like hugging warm, solid steel when I’m in his arms.

I like his tattoos, too. He has one that’s especially interesting on his left biceps. It’s a wolf’s head with the muzzle pointed up—maybe howling at the moon. It’s clear it wasn’t done in a regular tattoo parlor—some of the lines are rough and crude. But the tattooist had real talent—it’s like a primitive work of art.

He also has a brand on his left wrist. My daddy had one like it, as I recall. I wonder if it means anything. Whenever I asked my dad about his, he always said, “ That’s for daddies to know and little girls to find out” and that was all the answer I ever got from him.

I think about asking Kane about his, but what if it’s a scar from prison? I don’t want to bring back bad memories.

At last, I’m all dressed and ready to go and so is he.

Time for work. I hope Kane likes it— I want him to have a reason to stay.