Page 19

“No, don’t…” I close my eyes. “I’ll be fine. Just forget about this, Lance. Thanks anyway.”

I hang up before he can say anything else. I sit back and wait for the regret and the anguish to take me over.

Because that’s just what family feels like.

CHAPTER 7

ANNA

“You’re gonna burn it,” I say as I take a sip from my wineglass.

Vincent shakes his head, but he doesn’t look up from the cherry tomatoes he’s slicing in front of him. “I am not going to burn it,” he says again.

I squint harder through the oven’s window. “Definitely doesn’t look right.”

He slices louder, the blade thunking against the cutting board. “It’s chicken. It’s fine. It’s supposed to look like that.”

“I don’t know…”

Vincent straightens up and points a large finger over my shoulder. “Get out of my kitchen.”

“This is my house!”

He straightens his arm, pointing harder. “Out!”

“Fine,” I say. “But I’m taking the salad. We’re hungry.”

“Okay.”

I grab the bowl of leafy goodness off the counter, and he juts out at me.

“Wait.” He snatches it from my hands and sets it down in front of him, quickly dropping the cherry tomatoes inside and giving the thing a quick mix. “There.”

I gesture with my chin. “Tongs, please.”

Vincent picks them up and drops them into the bowl.

“Thank you, little brother.”

He slides an oven mitt on. “Get out, big sister.”

“Meanie.”

“Weirdo.”

We both smile as I spin away and walk from the kitchen to the dining room. I look through the corridor into the living room and my grin spreads at Evey as she tries to keep Zachary and Charlotte entertained.

I hold up the salad bowl. “I come bearing food!”

Evey gasps and looks at the kids, one standing on either side of her wide hips. “You guys hungry?”

They cry out in excitement and stand up quickly to head toward the table.

“Wash hands first!” I remind them, pointing down the hall to the bathroom.

They instantly double back and head that way.

Evey lets out a long and deep breath as she slowly falls into her chair at the table.