just long enough for me to notice before she corrects herself. “My gym,” she continues, pushing out a breath. “She and her husband bought a multi-family house several years back. They needed a tenant, and I needed a place to live. Now that I’ve been there a few years, I forget it’s two separate units, since we all come and go from each other’s places like we share them.”
“Sounds nice. It’s good to have people looking out for you.” Once I’ve poured a glass for myself and Julia, I skirt around to the other side of the island, shooing Zeus away, and pull out one of the barstools. “Have a seat.”
“Thank you.” She drapes her commuter bag over the back of the chair, then hoists herself onto it.
I do my best to ignore Julia’s satisfied smirk as I sit beside her. When I unexpectedly brush my leg against Londyn’s, I practically jump out of my skin. “Sorry.”
She chews on her lower lip. “It’s okay.”
“How about a toast,” Julia suggests through the nervous tension sizzling in the room. I can’t remember being this on edge the first time I took Brooklyn out. And this isn’t even a date.
“Right.” I rip my gaze to hers. “A toast.”
“Hope it’s a good one,” Julia mutters.
“A good one?” Londyn inquires.
“It’s this thing we usually reserve just for the holidays or when we have guests over,” I explain. “Something we picked up from Gampy. A little sibling rivalry to see who can come up with the better toast.”
“Hope you’ve brought your A-game.” Julia waggles her brows.
“Okay.” I fully face her. “Let’s see what you’ve got.” I steal a glance at Londyn, winking before returning my attention to Julia.
She stands proudly, wine glass raised. “May we never go to hell.” She pauses. “But may we always be on our way.”
“That’ll be a dollar!” Imogene calls out, arm outstretched, palm open, her focus still on her coloring book.
“A dollar?” Londyn asks.
I chuckle. “Julia tends to swear a bit.”
“And my darling daughter has brought home her job at school as the polite police. So every time I say a word that’s not polite, or swear, I have to pay her a dollar.”
“How much have you given her so far?”
“Let’s just say her paying for college won’t be a problem.” She places her glass on the island and reaches into her back pocket, retrieving a small bunch of one-dollar bills. Unfolding one, she walks toward Imogene and slaps one into her palm before returning to us, feigning irritation. “Your turn.”
Licking my lips, I clear my throat. “Here’s to a long life, and a happy one. A quick death, and an easy one. A good woman, and an honest one. A good wine… And another one.”
“Not sure it’s as good as mine, but I suppose I’ll let you win this round.”
“That’s what I thought.” I smile, bringing my glass toward Julia’s, about to clink.
“How about me?” Londyn interjects.
Stopping, I shoot my eyes toward her. “What’s that?”
“Can I do a toast?”
“Absolutely!” Julia replies.
“Sorry,” I say in a low voice. “I should have asked. I didn’t want to put you on the spot.”
“It’s okay. I mean, I didn’t put much thought into it, but it’s something my neighbors and I always say before we do tequila shots.”
I nod, my lips curving up in the corners, excited for yet another glimpse into who Londyn is. “Go on then.”
She raises her glass, smiling as her eyes meet mine. “May the best of the past be the worst of the future.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Julia says, clinking Londyn’s glass before mine. Then we all take a sip.
As I savor the robust flavor, my eyes wander back to Londyn, watching as she swallows the liquid, then licks her lips free of the wine residue. A little remains on the corner of her mouth, and I have to stop myself from reaching out and swiping it away with my thumb.
“Would you like to see what I’ve been working on this week?” Londyn sets her glass down and reaches into her bag for her tablet.
“Sure. I—”
“Don’t worry about any of that.” Julia waves her off, interrupting me. I dart my eyes toward her, brows furrowed.
“But I thought you wanted to get together to go over my ideas.” Londyn looks from me to Julia, sliding her tablet back into her bag.
“I trust you. I wouldn’t have hired you if I didn’t,” my sister says dismissively. “Plus, you already told me your ideas.” She spins around just as the timer on