Life In Reverse(47)

“Not to me.” I flash him a reassuring smile. “It doesn’t sound odd at all.” His eyes pore over my face before he lowers them to the sand.

Rippled waves cascade under our feet as we continue to gaze at the golden sun, free of the clouds now, reflecting off the water. I chance a glimpse of Vance’s profile. His skin misted with a fine sheen of sweat, mouth relaxed and parted slightly. Worry that normally hides in the corner of his eyes is at bay—at least for now.

The strong angle of his jaw and the smooth curve of his nose beckon to me, and I find myself tracing his features as if I was actually touching him. He turns to catch me staring and his lips spread into a wide grin. That’s when it strikes me.

“I want to sculpt you.”

His eyes sparkle. “It’s because I’m devilishly handsome, isn’t it?”

I huff out a laugh. “Yes, that’s definitely it. Sprinkled with a dash of ‘I’m full of myself.’”

A moment goes by and I can tell he’s considering my request. He regards me then, his smile transforming into wickedness. “Would I be naked?”

I lift a brow. “Do you want to be?”

“Let’s move onto the next question,” he answers quickly, and I snort.

“So can I?” Too many seconds pass that I’m sure his answer is going to be no, but he surprises me.

“Okay.” My heart does a small leap inside my chest. “When will I be sculpted?”

Lost in my excitement, it takes me a minute to respond. “Huh? Oh, I don’t know.” I search the sky before meeting his eyes. “How about in the morning? I don’t have to work so….”

“I need to send out more resumes, but….” He gestures with his hands as if he’s balancing a scale. “Let’s see… job hunting, orrrr, being the subject of a work of art? Hmph.” He shoots me an uncertain grin. “Let’s do it.”

Inside, I’m brimming with enthusiasm but I try to tone it down. “Great.”

Vance sweeps his shirt from a nearby rock and tugs it over his head while I try not to stare at his abs, his pecs, his everything really. He grabs his books and we hoist our sneakers from the sand. I swing mine all the way back to the car, unable to keep how thrilled I am under wraps.

“I’ll see you in the morning then,” he says as we part. The amusement that lights his face isn’t lost on me.

“What?”

He walks backwards, mouth curving high on one side. “You’re enjoying this a little too much.”

“Enjoying what?” I protest with a straight face. “I haven’t done anything yet.”

“Exactly.”

Then he pivots and stalks off, as only Vance Davenport knows how to stalk—sexy and damn near arresting—oozing everything I know I shouldn’t want.

But in this moment, I can’t think of anything I want more.





I THROW ON a Mickey Mouse tank with a pair of cutoff jean shorts and stand in front of the full-length mirror, wondering what Vance Davenport thinks about me. I’m not entirely sure why I care. I just know that I do.

Avery’s voice startles me from behind. “Well, well. Only ten minutes in the shower. What gives, sister dear?” She’s leaning against the doorframe with her arms poised across her chest, one wicked brow scrutinizing me.

“Nothing. I’m just….” I let out a breath and turn around to face her all-knowing smile. “Vance is coming over and I’m going to sculpt him.”

Her eyes spring open. “He’s letting you do that? Wow.”

“I know, right. I’m kind of taken aback myself.” I shift to face the mirror again, running a comb through my wet hair.

“I’ve always been so jealous of you.” Avery’s gaze meets mine in the glass and I blink. Her comment doesn’t quite register. “I’ve always been jealous of the fact that you’re so comfortable in your own skin. That I always felt like I had to try so hard, when you didn’t worry about trying at all.” Her melancholy expression is as unexpected as her next words. “You always thought you were ordinary. When in fact, you’re anything but.”

Her gaze drifts to a picture of us on the wall. “You’re just so… you,” she admits, her eyes coming back to mine. “And you’re essential to me. Almost like air,” she adds. For a second I wonder if she’s kidding, but there isn’t a hint of teasing in her voice. “I love you. And… I admire you, Ember. I always have. I just wanted you to know that.”

Stunned, my hand flies to my chest and I whirl around to reply but she’s already gone. I’ve never seen my sister like that before. Most of the time when she feels something it’s concealed, like the world would end if she let someone know there was a thing called emotion.

“Hi, sweetie.” My mother walks by as I’m still trying to process Avery’s words.

“Hi, Mom. Wait.” I step into the hallway to catch her. “Are you all right? What I mean is, I’ve barely seen you at all. And you haven’t been around for our Wednesday dinners.”

“Oh.” She runs a hand over her hair to smooth it down. “Well, we signed a huge contract for a new residential renovation in Portland so that’s underway. Plus, I’ve received a few referrals as well.”