I snorted. “Not sure Anna is quite on par with you and Hans.”
“Give me time. I’ll train her.”
I rolled my eyes at her sly grin.
Without warning, Bristol wrapped her arm around my waist and laid her head on my shoulder. I looked down to see a tiny wet trail running halfway to her cheek. My stomach tightened. It wasn’t like her to be overly sentimental.
Alarmed, I wrapped my arm around her. “You okay? Should I get Reid?”
She shook her head. “No. Don’t you dare. He’ll just fuss and try to take me home when I’m just so damn happy for you two. I know I wasn’t Team Anna when she came back. But watching the two of you together, it’s obvious you’re meant to be. You’re more relaxed, and after watching Anna for the past couple of months, well, it’s like she’s one of your plants. She’s bloomed since she’s been here.”
“What are you saying? That I’m like manure?”
My teasing worked. Bristol choked on a laugh and lifted her head. “No, you big dummy. You know what I mean. Sheneeded you. You’re like her…sunlight, I think. Like she’s been locked away behind the clouds.”
“You’re closer to the truth than you maybe know.”
“Take care of her, Chase. She deserves it. And let her take care of you.”
“I don’t need to be taken care of, but I’m definitely happier with her.” I hugged her. “Love you, brat.”
“Love you, too, big brother. Now. I’m off to find my sexy husband and see if he wants to find a private corner somewhere.”
I shuddered. “Please. No details.”
She shot me a wicked grin, then left. I chuckled under my breath and leaned back against a post, scanning the crowd, but I didn’t see Anna anywhere. My eyes swept the room again, slower this time. No blue dress. No flash of her blonde hair. I pushed away from the post and weaved through the crowd, checking the corners, the back entrance, and near the drinks. Still nothing. I stepped outside, the cooler night air cooler feeling good on my skin. From where I stood, I could see the edge of the parking area and the side yard where some of the overflow tables had been set. Still no sign of her.
I turned my head and spotted Jordan near the fence line, where he was talking to a group of other teens. I couldn’t help but notice one girl in particular seemed to hold his attention, and she also seemed to have eyes only for him. It might be time Jordan and I had a conversation I wasn’t ready for.
I headed toward him and nodded to the group. “Hey,” I said, pulling him slightly aside. I tried to keep my tone easy. “Have you seen Anna?”
He frowned. “Not since earlier. I’ve been out here for a while, though.”
“Huh. Okay. Just thought I’d ask.”
Jordan straightened. His eyes sharpened in that way I’d come to recognize—the way he noticed more than people gave him credit for. “Want me to help look?”
I shook my head. “Nah. You hang out with your friends.”
“Is that what she did when you couldn’t find me?”
He had me there. “Of course not,” I answered.
He turned to his friends. “I’ll be back in a minute.” Then he faced me again. “You check around the side sheds,” he offered. “I’ll circle around by the greenhouse path. She probably just needed a quiet moment.”
“Good plan. You’re probably right.”
He turned, but I stopped him with a word. “Jordan.”
He looked back.
“Thanks.”
He gave me a short, solid nod. “We’ll find her.”
And then he disappeared into the dark.
But the knot in my chest still wouldn’t loosen.
