Page 53 of Here & Now

“Have you contacted a real estate agent yet?”

“Yeah, but he hasn’t called back.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

Bree sighed. “I broke Grandma’s vase tonight, the one with all the shells.”

“Oh no.”

“I kind of had a mini-meltdown.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there.” Only Ivy understood how important that vase was. It held a lot more than shells; it held memories.

“Zane heard the crash and came over.” The words tumbled out of Bree. “He helped me clean up.”

“That was sweet of him.” It sounded like Ivy was smiling.

“He must think I’m a hot mess.”

“Or just hot,” Ivy teased.

“I don’t know about that.”

Bree hesitated to tell Ivy about the kiss, though her sister would probably be ecstatic at the news. She was still trying to process it herself, though, and didn’t want to make more of it than it was.

“Anyway, I’m going to buy a new vase to bring the shells home in.”

“It must be hard, being surrounded by all her things.”

“Someone had to do this.”

“Mom would have been there if she could.”

“I know, but she has enough to deal with.” Their mom was a nurse at a busy doctor’s office. She’d used all her paid time off and then some to care for their grandma, and since Ivy was a new mom, that left Bree.

Sofie let out a loud cry.

“I should have known she wasn’t down for the night,” Ivy said with a sigh.

“It sounds like you have your hands full too.”

“Jack’s been a big help, but he crashed tonight, so it’s on me.”

“You’re a good mom.”

“You’re a good sister.”

Bree smiled. They said a quick goodbye and hung up.

She felt calmer after talking to her sister, and now she was ready for sleep. She set the book back on the nightstand and wriggled under the covers. It was a good thing Ivy had interrupted her fantasy and brought her back down to earth, because that was all it was, a fantasy.

Zane was a temporary distraction, a welcome reprieve from her grief and broken-heartedness. A glimpse of sunshine after the storm. If she kept her attraction to him in its proper place, she’d be fine. When she left here, she could walk away with her heart intact.

At least, that was the plan.