Rise (Rise & Fall Duet #1) - Grahame Claire Page 0,16

forgive you if you want to go.”

I snapped out of my funk. “I’m interested.”

“Oh yeah?” She picked up some shiny metal tool. “What’s this?”

I opened my mouth and closed it.

“That’s what I thought.”

Shit. I’d pissed her off without meaning to, and this time it wasn’t fun.

“You can’t get rid of me that easily.” Why had I said that? Why was I shifting the blame to her?

She flipped on the faucet. Was she trying to drown me out?

“I didn’t know it was time to do dishes. I’ll help.” Eric dropped the canvas from his hands and detoured to the sink.

It wasn’t my home, but I felt like a chump for not thinking of volunteering to help too. I finished my ice cream and shrugged off my jacket. Once I set my bowl on the counter, I rolled up my sleeves.

“What are you doing?” Lexie asked sharply.

“Dishes.” I picked up a towel and dried the plate she’d just rinsed.

“Go away.” She clamped her lips shut like she hadn’t meant to speak her mind. Or maybe not that way in front of Eric.

But it was refreshing.

I took the clean fork from her fingers, surprised that I was doing something so mundane as wiping up dishes. My life was so rarely unscripted . . . that this felt odd, but strangely good. Leave. Go, like Lexie wants. But . . . “Don’t think I can do that.”

Chapter Ten

Lexie

Go away.

Go away.

Go away.

I dug the heel of my hand into my skull, willing the image of Lincoln with his sleeves rolled up out of my head.

It didn’t work.

Nothing had.

I’d even taken a melatonin before bed, but it never kicked in. My mind worked overtime with the entire afternoon and evening’s events. Lincoln had left hours ago, but he’d invaded our space.

Eric had talked nonstop about him until we called it a night.

I had to shut that down.

What had he done that was so spectacular anyway? Eaten ice cream? Done some dishes? Big whoop.

Another flash of the way his forearms flexed as he dried an entire sink’s worth of dishes stabbed me in the brain. How was he tan anyway? It was April, for Pete’s sake.

At least he could’ve solved the mystery as to why he’d never had strawberry ice cream. Not that I cared. It probably wasn’t all that interesting.

I punched my pillow.

“Go away,” I grumbled into it.

We had a crazy full Monday ahead of us. I couldn’t afford the loss of even an hour of sleep, let alone an entire night. I’d be toast tomorrow and probably the rest of the week.

And it was all Lincoln’s fault.

I held the pillow over my face.

No. It was mine. I never should’ve stopped at the burnt Grey Paws. That was what led to this entire blasted day.

“Rise and shine, sis.”

Light floated in from the hallway when I turned my head at the sound of my sweet brother’s voice.

“Already?” I tossed the pillow away and tried to straighten out my attitude.

“We can’t start off Monday grumpy,” he sing-songed. “That sets the tone for the rest of the week.”

Argh. Why had I imparted those words of wisdom on him? I supposed so he could throw them back in my face now.

“What’s for breakfast?” I forced myself out of bed and stretched.

“Donuts,” he suggested hopefully.

This was where I was supposed to say no and suggest something nutritious and filling. But I hadn’t slept and stuffing my face in a box of donuts sounded like the perfect way to get me moving.

“I like it.” I high-fived him. “Now what color are we wearing today?”

“Fuchsia.” He switched on the bedside lamp and bolted to my closet. In seconds, he found what he was looking for. “You look pretty in this dress.”

My eyes stung at the compliment. No sleep didn’t help my emotions either. It was my brother’s sweet spirit and positive outlook no matter what that touched my soul. “Thanks, bow tie.”

“You two are stunning today.”

Eric and I each carried a box through the shop door.

“Thanks, Garrison.” I set mine on the counter. This was our first stop and I was already dragging. The compliment helped, even if only temporarily.

“Boy, am I glad to see your faces.” He slid the box toward him and cut it open. “I’m already out of what you brought Friday.”

“Really?” Eric added his load to the counter. “People like it!” He beamed.

“They do. And so do their dogs.” Garrison restocked the glass jars in a refrigerated case.

I stepped back and examined the display. The product truly did look