Page 13 of This Kind of Forever

Clara casually pops a sliced strawberry into her mouth. “Hallie can help you!”

“Oh, that’s a great idea!” Maggie beams, and I die a little inside. “You were such a big help with decisions when we were renovating, Hallie. I’m sure between the two of you, you’ll get the job done in no time.”

While the offer is tempting, the thought of being in such close proximity to Gabe has me slightly terrified. I haven’t been alone with him in over ten years. I’m not afraid ofhim, per se, so much as the memories he brings up. The memories of all the mistakes I’ve made.

Besides, like his twin, Gabe has always had this uncanny ability to see straight through my façade. If I move into his guesthouse, he’ll be that much closer to unravelling me.

“It’s literally perfect,” Clara adds, driving the last nail right into my coffin. The coffin she’ll have to bury me in when I pass away from extreme embarrassment.

“Gabe?” Maggie prompts. “What do you think?”

Please say no. Please say no.

“It’s alright with me,” he says, apparently unaware of my inner turmoil. “Foster?”

The whole table is looking at me now, waiting for a response. I can feel myself start to sweat under the scrutiny. They mean well, I know they do, but I also hate them a little for putting me on the spot like this.

“I guess…” I swallow to clear the uncertainty from my tone. “I guess I’m moving in, then.”

SIX

GABE

Termites.

My family is full of shitty liars. As soon as Mom brought up the supposed termites, I knew she and Clara had been scheming, but I didn’t blow their cover. Because I wasn’t entirely surewhythey were scheming until it was too late.

Now I don’t know whether to thank or kill my sister for suggesting that Hallie help me fix up my guesthouse. The help is appreciated, but the close proximity is going to be torture.

Because if her being back in town has taught me anything, it’s that I’m not over her. Not even close.

“Daddy, why do you keep looking outside?”

I sigh, turning away from the front window. Abbie’s kneeling by the coffee table with her colouring books and pencil crayons, looking up at me curiously. “I’m waiting for someone.”

“Who?”

“Hallie. Remember, we saw her at Haven House a couple days ago? She’s helping me with something.”

She’s supposed to be, anyway, but she was also supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago.Not that I’m counting or anything.

Did she change her mind? I’d hardly blame her if she did. If she’s been actively avoiding me since coming back, living in my guesthouse is probably the last thing she wants to do. But I also know her, and I know staying with Clara for a prolonged period would make her uncomfortable. My sister doesn’t mind, but Hallie would see it as a problem, like she’s taking advantage.

Abbie seems to accept my answer and returns to her colouring. I return to looking out the window, just in time to see a familiar head of blonde and purple hair.

A soft knock sounds a few seconds later. I give it another few before I leave the living room.

When I open my door to her standing on my front porch wearing an unsure smile, I wish I had the power to wipe it away. But seeing as I’m the cause of her discomfort, that won’t be happening.

“Hi,” she says, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Um, sorry I’m late. The walk was longer than I thought.”

She steps inside, and I move to close the door, but I pause at her words. “Youwalked?”

While Kip Island isn’t that big, walking from one end to the next could easily take a couple hours, if not more. The walk out to my place from Clara’s apartment is at least twenty minutes.

“Yeah.” Her lips twitch. “It’s that thing people do where they put one foot in front of the other.”

I can’t help the laugh that slips out. God, I’ve missed this. Missedher. Her tone is tentative, but it reminds me of how things used to be. The way she would tease me, and I’d tease her right back, earning myself one of her infamous blushes.