Page 30 of Cru's Crush

Where are you?I asked.

Outside.

I rushed over to the front door and saw her sitting on the porch swing, laughing with my brother. All I could think as I watched them was how I wished every day could have moments like this. Having Trevino home felt so good. That I’d wake up every day knowing I’d see Daphne, felt even better.

“Hey, guys,” I said, walking out to join them.

“Daphne needs wellies, jeans, and sweatshirts.”

“Yeah, Bit? Is that all?”

He looked up at me and smiled. “I’ll let you figure the rest out.” He got off the swing and walked off the steps.

“Where are you going?”

He thought for a minute. “Shit. I gave you the good name. I’ll have to think of something else for the cottage.”

“How about Casa de la Luna?”

He laughed out loud. “Or Casa de la Luna…tic.”

My brother never seemed more like his old self again as he did while walking away. I loved him so damn much and worried about him constantly. I just prayed he’d decide to stay here instead of taking off to wherever he was thinking about going earlier.

“I forgot you call him Bit,” said Daphne. “It certainly doesn’t fit him now. I mean, I like it. It’s just that out of all your brothers, Trevino is the most, err, muscular.”

“Thanks a lot,” I joked. “I’m about the only one he lets get away with calling him that.” I studied her. “We good?”

“Better than.”

“Wanna go shop?”

“Have you eaten?” she asked.

“Yeah, um, I’ve got half a breakfast burrito left if you want it.”

She shook her head. “Your mum made a traditional Avila breakfast, and while it was just for Alex and me, she doesn’t know how to cook for fewer than seven people.”

“Think you’ll be hungry again for dinner with your parents?”

“If I walk enough of it off while we shop.” She winked.

God, I loved her. All it took was her smile to remind me how much I did.

We spentall afternoon in downtown San Luis Obispo, shopping for clothes for her and me. I knew I’d love everything I bought, only because Daphne picked it out.

Between each store, I took the bags and put them in the SUV.

“What are you doing?” she asked when I waited outside rather than follow her into a store called Fanny Wrappers. Based on the window displays, they didn’t carry men’s underwear.

“I’ll stay out here.”

Daph shook her head and wiggled her finger. “Get in here,Enzo. I need your opinion.” She held up a pink lace bra. “This or that?” She pointed to a peach-colored one in the same design.

I pictured the thin material covering the generous curves of her breasts. Her frame was slight but powerful, with defined muscles honed by years of running, surfing, and walking miles and miles of vineyards.

Knowing that if I didn’t turn away, imagining her wearing anything they sold in this store would give me a raging hard-on, I looked out the window rather than at her. “Both.”

“What about purple?”