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Hope took a sip of iced tea. “Productive. It was about some of our new ideas for the resort. I’m more curious about what’s going on with you. And why do I think it’s about Jack?”
Sara wilted in her seat. “Yesterday’s dive was a disaster.” She told Hope about the interaction between Jack and Ashley, as well as the argument later, and finished with Ashley’s words to her just now. “I’m regretfully coming to the conclusion that maybe I was a little bit of an asshole.”
Hope gave her a fond smile. “I have to say, jealous rages have never been your style.”
“That’s what’s weird about it. Why now?”
“Sounds like things are getting serious between you two. Is little sister falling in love?”
Sara glanced at her before lowering her eyes to the table. “I might be.”
“He was doing his job, Sara. I’ve been on enough dives to see the same thing myself. Some divers, especially new ones, just want the security of being next to the expert. And when it’s a woman, sometimes they like to hang on. I’ve seen how he looks at you—that man is hooked.”
A smile crossed Sara’s face, but it faded as she met Hope’s eyes. It was time to ask the question. “How do you deal with it?”
“What?”
“Alex. And admirers.” One admirer in particular… Hope wasn’t clueless—she had to know.
Hope sighed and crossed her arms on the edge of the table. “Sara, if I pulled my hair out every time a woman sent an appreciative glance Alex’s way, I’d be bald by now. He’s a good-looking man, though he’s completely indifferent to that fact. And I know this man to the depths of his soul. I’m not worried.”
Sara held her gaze. “Even about April?”
“Nothing has ever happened between her and Alex, and she has never set a toe out of line. I like her.” She took a drink, then smirked. “Is that why you were so hell-bent on setting her up with Jack at the beginning?”
Sara laughed and lifted both hands to her face. “Yeah. Did Alex tell you about that?”
“About you trying to play matchmaker, yes. But not why. I figured that out on my own.”
Sara’s smile fell. “I was worried.”
“Uh-huh. And couldn’t resist the chance to meddle a little.”
“Maybe. But my matchmaking skills leave something to be desired. Look how it turned out.”
“It turned out the way it was meant to.”
Staring at the table, Sara swiped a hand over her forehead. “I need to apologize to him.”
“Probably a good idea. Unless you’re trying to push him away?”
“No. I just got really insecure and blew up. It wasn’t my best moment.”
Hope took her hand. “You don’t need to be insecure. You turn heads wherever you go. Maybe it’s time to let yourself get close to someone.”
That suggestion still caused wriggling snakes to break out in her gut. “The last time we discussed it, he was ok with just taking things as they come. But you’re right that I owe him an apology. Wonder what I can do to make it up to him? Something fun, to take the pressure off.”
Hope leaned forward, her eyes becoming round. “Why don’t we double date? The four of us could go out to dinner, completely casual.”
“I love it! That’s perfect.”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this to you, of all people, but relax a little where Jack is concerned. It’s ok to fall in love, little sister.”
“I’m not sure I want to.”
Hope laughed, a light lilting sound. “Oh, dear. Where love is concerned, what you want has nothing to do with it. Both Alex and I could tell you all about that.”
* * *
