The Summer of Sunshine and Margot(79)

“I did like talking to the shy people in the room. They were all so grateful.”

“Everyone wants to feel special and no one is better at making someone feel like the center of the universe than you. Something else you can do is simply walk away. You’re not going to be by yourself at these events. Find Wesley. Maybe the two of you could come up with a code word so he’ll know you’re upset.”

Bianca laughed. “We already have code words. You know for when—”

Margot held up her hand. “No. Do not tell me that.”

“You and Alec might want to—”

“Stop.”

Bianca pouted. “You’re not very fun.”

“I’m not here to be fun. I’m here to help you be comfortable in Wesley’s world. Talk to him about this. Work on a plan together. He loves you and wants to help.”

Bianca’s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t want to be broken.”

“You’re not broken. You’re...” Margot searched for an analogy. “Remember how we talked about you not being a surgeon? That’s still true. You might have an innate ability but without training, you would be dangerous in the operating room, talent or not. That’s all we’re doing here—learning new skills.”

“You do love your medical analogies.”

“I’ve used them maybe twice.”

“Still, new material, my dear. It’s always helpful.”

Margot threw herself against the sofa back. “You’re impossible.”

Bianca smiled and said nothing.

  Saturday morning, Sunshine woke up way earlier than she wanted to. She hadn’t slept well at all. Despite leaving on the TV so she couldn’t hear anything outside of her room, she’d still found herself listening for Declan. Eventually she’d fallen asleep but she had no idea what time he’d gotten home or what had happened on his date or why she cared or what she was going to do with her day off.

The second to the last one was a total lie, but she ignored it, along with a sense of dread in the pit of her stomach. The obvious solution for all that ailed her was a plan for her day, including something fun. She had homework to do but maybe after that she could get a facial or go shopping or text Margot to see if she wanted to hang out. Assuming she wasn’t spending the day with Alec because, according to the text she’d gotten yesterday, things had certainly heated up between them.

She told herself that at least one of the Baxter sisters was having fun and later, it would be her turn. With that positive statement, she got dressed, then went to start coffee. She was still waiting for the pot to do its thing when Connor walked in looking all sleepy and adorable in his car pajamas. He crossed to her and hugged her tight.

“Morning.” She rubbed his back. “Did you sleep well?”

“Uh-huh. Can I have pancakes?”

“You can.”

Connor released her and scrambled onto a stool at the island while Sunshine got out the ingredients for pancakes. As it was her day off, she wasn’t required to make breakfast, but she wasn’t going to tell Connor no. Not only did she like taking care of him, she wasn’t sure how late Declan would be sleeping.

Or if he was even home!

The thought was equally unwelcome and upsetting. What if he’d stayed the night at Phoebe’s? She told herself he wouldn’t, or couldn’t. He would be worried about Connor, and Phoebe had Elijah, so even if they’d had sex, he would still come home.

She didn’t want to think about them together or anything else, but the image was in her brain and didn’t want to leave.

“We’re going to the zoo,” Connor told her. “Come with us.”

She cracked eggs into a bowl. “It’s my day off, Connor.”

“But it’s the zoo! Come on. It’ll be fun.”

“You need to spend time with just you and your dad.”

“Why?”

“We’ve talked about this,” Declan said as he walked into the kitchen. He kept his gaze on his son. “Morning, Sunshine.”

“Good morning.”

Declan hugged Connor. “Sunshine needs her time off. She has things she has to do.”

Connor shot her a glance. “Like what?”

“Like none of your business,” his dad said as he walked over to the pot and poured a mug of coffee. He added milk and then set it in front of her before pouring a second mug for himself.

Connor sighed heavily. “It’ll be better if Sunshine comes with us.”

“I’m sure that’s true, but we’ll have to struggle through it as best we can.”

Sunshine added the pancake mix and stirred. Was it just her or was Declan avoiding her gaze? Did he feel as awkward as she did? Was there tension or was it her imagination?

“I’m going to go make a list of all the animals I want to see,” Connor said as he slid off the stool. “Call me when breakfast is ready.”

He ran down the hall, leaving her alone with her boss. Sunshine wasn’t sure if she should start preheating the griddle or simply bolt for her bedroom. Settling on middle ground, she picked up her coffee.

“So, how was your date?”

As she spoke, she glanced at him and he finally met her gaze. His expression was two parts stricken and one part guilty. Their gazes locked.