Page 15

Rain

X ander and I have been texting all week. He’s been busy with therapy during the day, and I’ve been working at the diner. Tourist season means all hands on deck. At night, Granny recruited me to help prep for the St. John’s Day feast that we’re hosting this Saturday.

It’s a time to gather as a family, enjoying good food and music. We usually also have a fire that symbolizes the end of one season and the beginning of another.

Today, I’m leaving the diner early to teach my cooking class at Serene Lookout.

“Blair, you good?” I ask, shrugging into my chef coat in the office.

“Yes, Chef. We’re getting a couple of new waiters for the summer, so that should help lighten the load,” she replies confidently.

“I trust you.” I smile and head for the door. “You know where to find me in case you need me.” Flashing a peace sign, I slip out the back door.

When I park Minx in the Serene Lookout lot, the first thing I see is Xander’s sleek black SUV.

Funny how I used to notice Ruin’s Beamer first. A smile curves my lips as I think back to the weekend, how good it felt to spend the night learning every valley and every muscle on his honed body.

Just the memory of his rough hands roaming my body gives me goosebumps and sends a tingling jolt to my core.

I shake my head and take two long gulps of water. I can’t go in there all flustered by very dirty thoughts about a patient.

“Oh—hi, Nessa. Good to see you,” I say as I enter.

The receptionist recently told Ruin she’s hoping to get a teaching job at the local grade school.

Ruin is already trying to find a replacement.

So far, Granny is the only candidate, which would be total mayhem.

I can already picture her sweet-talking every patient in sight.

Nessa waves. “Oh hey, Rain. The kitchen’s all set for you,” she says as she grabs her bag and heads out.

I’m debating whether I have time to say hi to my sister before class when I hear footsteps coming down the stairs. Xander appears and, without warning, lifts me into a bear hug.

“Hey, Cherry,” he whispers against my lips, and I part for him. His kiss is slow and deliberate, and that familiar tingling sensation surges through me.

“Put me down, Hotshot. You’re a patient here,” I say, though I don’t sound too convincing.

“I’m a patient, not an inmate.” He leans in for another kiss, but I turn my head just in time, and he lands one on my cheek.

He exhales and gently sets me down. “You’re no fun, Cherry. I’ve missed you,” he says, giving me full puppy eyes. It takes everything in me not to give in and kiss him senseless.

“We’ll have time later. Come on, we have pies to bake.” I grab his hand and lead him into the kitchen.

“Where’s everybody?” I ask. The kitchen is empty. Nathan is gone, but there should still be one more patient.

Xander simply shrugs and ties on an apron. It’s one of Granny’s: light blue with a stitched Serene Lookout logo at the waist. Adorable.

“Don’t you look cute?” I tease, slipping on my own apron.

“‘Cute’ wouldn’t be my first choice of words, but it’s a start,” he replies, flashing that mischievous smirk .

“Hey, Raindrop. Xander,” Ruin greets us as she rushes in from the patio, wet hair dripping and cheeks flushed.

“What happened to you?” I ask, taking in her state.

“Oh, nothing. I went for a swim, thinking I had enough time, and now I’m late to pick up Indigo and Sage from Mama’s house.”

Her phone buzzes. She glances at it, and her whole face lights up.

“Let me guess—Gio?” I ask with a smirk.

“Phew, everything is good,” she says, tucking her phone away. “I was supposed to take the twins to the community college for Gio’s family day event, but he texted saying he already picked them up. Said I could take more time for myself.”

My sister’s cheeks flush deeper as she glances at Xander, who’s quietly taking this all in.

“Gio is a saint. Maybe you should reward him tonight,” I say, wagging my eyebrows.

She gasps, playfully slapping my hand. “Rain Melody, please!” she scolds, eyes wide as she glances from me to Xander.

“What? I’m sure he knows what a ‘marital reward’ entails.”

Xander tries—and fails miserably—to stifle a laugh. My sister rolls her eyes and heads for the stairs.

“I’m out of here. I can’t stand one more embarrassing comment from you.”

I grin as she tries to hide her smile.

“You two are the last ones here. Please, Rain, behave. I’ll see you Saturday,” she calls over her shoulder.

“Bye sis. I love you.”

“Love you too.”

And then it’s just us.

Xander plants his hands on his hips. “Okay, Chef. Now what?” He looks like Granny when she used to scold us from the porch—usually Miles or me.

“We have to bake five pies for St. John’s Day. It’s the last thing left for the feast. I told Granny I would take care of them since I thought there would be more people here.”

“I may be just one person, but I’m strong,” he says, flexing his biceps.

Good God, the way his muscles strain against his shirt is so sexy. I could melt in a puddle of goo right here and now.

“And I’ll do pretty much anything you tell me to do,” he adds with a wink for good measure.

When our gazes lock, desire flashes in his usually dark brown irises, threaded with gold.

“Really? That’s good to know.” I turn and walk away, adding a little extra sway to my hips. Behind me, I hear him groan.

“But for now, let’s focus on these pies. If we don’t have them ready, or don’t make them well, Granny won’t let us hear the end of it. ”

“So… does that mean I’m invited to the St. John’s Day gathering?” he asks, hope slipping into his voice.

“Maybe,” I say, barely suppressing a laugh.

“What does my invitation depend on?” he whispers near my ear, startling me.

“On how good of a sous-chef you turn out to be.”I lean my back into his chest.

“Jesus, woman. Do not tempt me if we need to focus on baking these pies.” He wraps his arms around my middle and nuzzles my neck. The sensation steals my breath.

“There’s a real bed upstairs,” he murmurs against my skin, pressing kisses along my collarbone. “We wouldn’t have to worry about how we’re going to fit like we did in your van.”

I force myself to pull away. “Yeah, about that.” I take a deep breath.

He eyes me for a moment, then presses a soft kiss to my lips. “Yeah, okay. We need to stay on task.”

“Before we start baking, I want to clarify something,” I say, turning to face him. “You know I really like you, and it took a lot of self-control not to give in just now.”

We both grin.

“But it doesn’t feel right to have sex at my sister’s therapy center, you know?”

He nods, and I sigh in relief.

“I completely understand. Actually, it makes me like you even more.”

I frown, curious.

“You are respectful and can understand boundaries. Even though you’re a complete firecracker most of the time.” He smirks.

“Firecracker, huh? I like that.”

We share a look—unspoken, open, tender—before I turn on the oven and start pulling out ingredients.

“Here’s the melted butter,” Xander says, as he starts pulling a Pyrex measuring cup from the microwave.

The crusts are in the oven, and Xander is helping me make the filling for the peach, fruit-of-the-forest, and cherry pies. We’re making two of each—one for the feast, and one in case neighbors drop by.

I’m measuring out the fruit in each pie when I hear a sharp curse.

“Fuck!” Xander yells.

I whip around just in time to see the glass bowl cup slip from his hands.

“No, no, no—” I try to move, maybe stop it with my foot, but it’s too late. The glass hits the floor with a loud crack, splattering melted butter all over the floor and shattering into pieces.

Xander’s eyes are wild. He’s already pivoting to fix it.

“Shit. Sorry, Cherry. I’ll clean it in a jiffy.”

“Xander, no!” I throw out my hand to stop him, but it happens fast. He slips on the melted butter, arms flailing.

“Wait—”

Thud .

He lands hard, his head hitting the tile with a sickening thump.

“Fuck.” I’m at his side in seconds. “Don’t move,” I tell him, my voice sharper than I mean it to be. My fingers fumble for my phone in my back pocket.

“Rain, I’m fine,” he tries, already pushing up from the floor.

“Stay down, Xander.” I give him a glare that could stop time. He blinks but listens.

I hit Ruin’s name on speed dial. She answers after two rings.

“Hey, Raindrop—”

“Ruin, I need you to text me Dr. Gutierrez’s number. Xander fell—hard.”

There’s a pause. I hear background music and voices.

“Is he okay? I mean, is he conscious?” she asks, voice immediately serious.

I glance behind me. Xander’s lying on his back, hair slicked with butter, wearing a sheepish smile.

“Yes, he’s breathing and rolling his eyes at me.”

“Ruin, I’m fine,” he calls out loud enough for her to hear. “Rain is the one who’s freaking out.”

Ruin chuckles.“ I just texted Manny. He’s on his way.”

I exhale, the tightness in my throat easing slightly, though my eyes sting.

“He’s going to be okay, Raindrop. Just hang tight.”

“Okay.” I disconnect and toss my phone on the counter, grabbing every kitchen towel I can find. I kneel beside Xander, carefully picking up shards of glass, making sure none of them are near him.

“Hey, Cherry. Look at me.” His voice is soft.

I glance at him, biting my cheek to stay calm.

“I’m okay, I promise.” He gives me a sweet, lopsided smile.

“Hello?” I hear Dr. Gutierrez call from the entrance.

“Over here,” I shout.

He jogs in, a medical bag slung over his shoulder.

“What do we have here?” he asks, setting the bag on a nearby table.

“We were baking pies for St. John’s Day,” I say, voice cracking.

“I asked Xander to melt the butter. I didn’t give him enough instructions, and he wasn’t wearing gloves when he took the glass cup out of the microwave, and—and—” I can’t get the rest out.

My breathing’s too fast. I’m crying now, damn it.

“Okay, Rain. Come here,” Dr. Gutierrez says, helping me off the floor. “Please take a seat. I need to get you some water.”