A Bad Day for Sunshine (Sunshine Vicram #1) - Darynda Jones Page 0,61
if you’re game, I can drive you over.”
Her emotions skyrocketed. She jumped up, ready to go. Almost. “Thanks, Grandpa! I’ll get my things and meet you in the car!”
She heard her grandmother say, “I think she’s in a hurry.”
“I meant to tell you,” she said, growing anxious, “I’m not actually sure he’s home. I can’t get ahold of him. We have the rest of the week to do this project, but I wanted to get a jump on it.”
Cruz didn’t exactly throw her a kiss goodbye when they’d parted ways after sixth period. He’d looked at her oddly. Then again, he looked at her oddly all the time. She could never tell what he was thinking.
“No worries, sweetness. It’s not like it’s a long drive.”
He was right there. They found the place in about four minutes, a white house with blue trim.
She drew in a deep breath and got out of the car.
Her grandpa got out as well. “I’ll just make sure it’s okay, then you can call me when you’re ready to come home. I’ll be here in a jiff.”
“Thanks, Grandpa.”
He looked up at the ever-darkening sky. “That storm is going to hit soon, so you might hurry.”
“I will. I’m sorry to do this to you.”
Her favorite grandpa in the world stopped and turned her to face him. “Your grandmother and I are beside ourselves with excitement that you two moved back here. I will drive you wherever I can whenever I can. You just say the word. I am now the official Auri Vicram chauffeur. I am yours to command.” He did a silly bow that made Auri giggle.
“Can you drive me to my next mani-pedi?”
“When do we leave?”
She laughed again and wrapped her arms around his chest. He drew her into a deep hug, then they walked to the porch arm in arm and rang the bell. A light blinked off and on inside the house, and Auri couldn’t fathom why.
A thin wood door opened, and Cruz stood on the other side. He didn’t seem at all surprised to see her. Or happy about it.
“Hey,” she said.
He nodded a greeting, then looked at her grandpa.
“Oh, this is my grandpa, Cyrus Freyr.”
Cruz opened the door wider and took his hand. “We’ve met. This summer. And my dad works on his car sometimes.”
“He sure does. Guy could rebuild a—”
“—Hemi in a hurricane,” Auri finished for him.
Cruz chuckled softly. “Yes, he can. Want to come in?”
“Oh no,” Grandpa said, “I’ll just leave Auri here while you work, if that’s okay?” He glanced at her. “You can call when you’re ready for your mani-pedi?”
Auri suddenly realized they didn’t actually make plans. She didn’t actually get permission to crash Cruz’s life. “If you’re busy, we can—”
“I’m not busy,” he rushed to say. “We have to do it. May as well get it done.”
At first, Auri soared with his willingness to spend time with her, but with his next words, she wondered if he wanted to get the project finished to be over with her. “Okay, well great.” She turned back to her grandpa. “I’ll call you?”
“My dad could take her home if you don’t want to get out again. It’s up to you.”
“Only if it’s not a bother.”
“I’ll call either way,” Auri said.
He gave her another quick hug and headed to his crossover while Cruz ushered her inside.
The house was cozy and warm with a lit fireplace and throws on the sofa and love seat.
“This is nice,” she said.
He offered her a playful smirk. “No, it’s not. But it works.”
A man walked in then, carrying a plate of food and a beer. Tall like Cruz and almost as handsome.
“Hi,” she said softly, holding out her hand even though his were full. “I’m Auri.”
He put the beer down, took her hand and smiled, then turned to Cruz.
Cruz signed what she said, finger-spelling her name. She recognized that much. And humiliation washed over her. Cruz was fluent in ASL, and the lamp flickered when they rang the doorbell. It didn’t take a genius to figure out someone in his family was probably deaf.
When she realized her cheeks had warmed substantially, they warmed even more and she worried they’d catch her hair on fire. Hair engulfed in flames was not a good look for anyone.
“Hi,” Cruz said, interpreting for his dad. “I’m Chris. You’re new, right?”
She smiled. “Yes. We just moved back.”
“Your mom is the new sheriff. I was so glad she won,” Chris said as Cruz interpreted, making the most charming face. “I voted