My phone buzzed against my thigh, and I snaked my hand down the seemingly mile-long pocket of these sweats to extricate it. My lips twitched upward at the background—a selfie of me in the Ari’s kitchen with Dad and Bree in the background, working some biscuit dough.
It was a photo I would’ve never had on easy display just a few months ago, when a glimpse of it might have sent my brother into a panic attack. Unfortunately, Dad’s amputation last year wasn’t our first large-scale family emergency. When I was ten, Vinh—who was nearly ten years older than me—had been involved in a terrible kitchen fire in culinary school. And once he was out of the hospital, he didn’t go back, but he did move away from us. Besides the burn scars along his arm, it had left him with intense triggers, too, especially regarding his loved ones working in kitchens. So when Bree accepted my parents’ offer tostart working at Ari’s full time, my brother took it upon himself to embark on more intensive trauma therapy to deal with it.
He was my hero and always had been. And… he was probably why I felt such confidence in speaking about therapy to anyone. That, paired with Dad’s history of alcohol abuse and years spent talking openly about AA.
I smiled big at my phone, the unpleasant memories not coming even close to overshadowing the good ones. It unlocked, uncovering a string of missed texts from a few different parties.
Aunt Ari
Call me before or after the sunrise tomorrow? I have a proposition *sunrise emoji* Love ya bunches
Vinh
Where are you?
Princess Bree
Text us when you’re free! We got back to The Cottage™? and couldn’t find you!
I caught a snort before it sounded at Bree’s trademark symbol, then glanced over my shoulder to make sure Cody was still asleep and blanketed in shadow before replying to Bree.
Me
Moi? You were looking for me? This brings me joy. Please let my brother know that I am safe and sufficiently clothed for a good many things. But perhaps not for others.
I knew the first was his biggest concern for me, but I couldn’t help but stir the ever-present overprotective pot on occasion.
She responded within moments, and I imagined them standing side by side, Vinh looking over Bree’s shoulder and smiling. Or grimacing.
Princess Bree
He says that was almost worse than not replying, but I don’t agree. Anyway... See you tonight? Vinh’s cookinggggg
Me
Sounds good, Princess©
The church bells punched through town, and Cody bolted upright in his seat, adding his dissonant harmony. “Motherfuck!” His wide-eyed gaze found mine, and it seemed to take several blinks before he was able to make sense of reality.
I smiled and pocketed my phone as I waited for the chimes to end. “Good afternoon, Dezi.”
He scrubbed a hand down his face and gave me a rueful smile. “Sorry about the hollerin’. I don’t usually sleep that deeply. What time is it?”
“Those were the five o’clock chimes.”
He squinted across the green space, and I followed his line of sight as he asked, “Is five still considered afternoon?”
“It is,” I answered as I swept my gaze over him. “Technically, ‘good afternoon’ lasts until sunset.” I clasped my hands behind my back, the feeling of my forearms grazing my bare sides reminding me that I should probably go back to the cottage for a shirt before scandalizing the al fresco dinner crowd.
“How’d I know you’d know that?” he groaned. “You’re so fucking smart.”
I raised my eyebrows at him. “Don’t pretend like you didn’t finish last year’s spring semester with a 4.0. Even with those higher-level business classes. Because I know you did.”
His skin brushed mine as he exited the cart and stood beside me, several inches taller than my not quite five-foot-ten, and stretched his arms above his head. “It’s not the same,” he said slowly through a yawn. “That was a struggle from start to finish.”
So eager to bury his own accomplishments, this one. But so quick to lift up those he cared for.
I considered volleying a response about the merits of his work ethic, but with how expertly he maintained his signature flat, uninviting expression when I glanced at him, I packed it away for later.
