Page 53 of Hearts on the Mend

“Anyway, I invited a friend, and I think you should come meet him. He’s working part-time for me as a photographer at the newspaper. You might like him.”

“So you’re setting me up on a date?” I laugh because it’s absurd. “Sloane, thanks, but no thanks.”

“It’s a no-pressure kind of thing,” she insists. “He was going to hang out with us anyway, so if you don’t like him, it’s not a big deal.” She sets the vase down on the table. “Why is that so heavy?”

“Not sure. The top seems stuck,” I nudge the can of paint into the living room with my foot. I pry open the lid, gasping at the gorgeous blue. It’s moody and perfect.

Sarah picks the vase back up, flipping it over, then works her fingernails under the lid before a loud pop surprises us and she screams.

Gray powder rains down upon us in the living room as Sloane covers her face, shrieking. I jump to cover the paint, unsure what the hell is actually happening.

Nolan thunders down the stairs. “What the fuck is wrong?”

But by now, our screams have melted into laughter. The kind where you’re doubled over, can’t breathe, and every muscle in your stomach is cramping up. Sarah is bent forward, wheeze-laughing, tears streaming down her face.

“Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod. That wasn’t a vase.” She brushes her face, repulsed. “Dude, you had an urn on your coffee table.”

I peek down at the gray dusting my shirt and the living room floor. Oh god.

“But whose urn?” I ignore Nolan’s glare. “Ah, that could have been my great-grandparents actually.” I wince, cupping my hands around my mouth and yelling, “Sorry. So sorry if it’s you.”

“You don’t need to yell, they’re dead.” Sloane shivers, brushing her hands over her jeans.

“Do we use a vacuum or a broom to clean this up?” Sarah asks once the ashes settle.

“I don’t know. I don’t know the proper etiquette of cleaning up… ashes.” I gag.

“I thought the plan was to paint today.” He spins his hat backward, then rests his hands on top of his head, taking in the three of us and the unfortunate urn incident.

Sloane grins. “Nolan, I’m going out with your brothers tomorrow night. You should come.”

“No, all set.” He drops his arms and is about to turn when Sloane presses on.

“I knew you’d say that, which is exactly why I invited Cassie too. She’s going to meet this amazing new photographer I just hired. Wicked nice guy, will definitely treat her right. The perfect rebound after her shitty soon-to-be ex. I think they’ll hit it off.”

Nolan grumbles under his breath before he says, “Fine, I’ll go.”

“Thought so,” Sloane says, all singsongy.

“Sunny, don’t start with me.”

She hikes a thumb in his direction, flashing me a playful wink. “Don’t let the tough-guy act fool you. I’ve been around Nolan long enough to remember he sported a pierced eyebrow in high school. Very emo and studious. He was an honor student, actually.”

“Fucking hell, Sunny. I told you I’d go. Lay off.”

I don’t know what she’s trying to do. Actually, I do know, and I want her to keep out of it.

Tension curls between Nolan and me when he swings his dark gaze to mine. The look there is hungry, desperate maybe. I clutch the bottom of my throat, feeling my cheeks flush at the intensity of it.

“I’m taking the Jeep,” he says finally, turning to snatch the keys from the dish.

“Wait, I’ll need to pick up Ruby in a bit.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he says. “I’ll grab her on my way back from the hardware store. Forgot something.”

“He’s going to grab Ruby.” Sarah quietly claps her hands together, giddy. “Just roommates, huh?”

I snap my arm out in her direction and motion for her to stop, which only earns me a giggle as the door shuts behind him.