Sporting (Unleashed Romance #3) - Kylie Gilmore Page 0,51
me about it.
There’s another email from Eve Larsen. I gasp. I haven’t heard from my sister in years. I guess she dropped the nickname Evie. I tap on the email with a shaking finger.
Hi Jenna, it’s been way too long between sisters. For a long time I felt like we had to take sides, and you had chosen the opposite of me. I’ll be honest, I’ve had some difficulties over the years that have prevented me from having good relationships in my life. All this stuff with our parents made me realize if they can forgive each other, surely you and I can make up. Or at least talk. Will you be at their wedding? I’d like to have a chance to talk face-to-face.
I’m in California now, so it’s not as easy to meet up. I hope to see you there.
Eve
I let out a breath. The one hurt from my past that was worse than missing my dad or losing my beloved dog was the loss of my little sister. Now I feel like I have to go to the wedding.
I call Mom. “I got the invitation. I just want you to know I’ll be there. I don’t pretend to understand—”
“Jenna, your dad and I married so young the first time. I dropped out of college to have you at eighteen, and he dropped out to get a job to support us both. It was hard. We didn’t have the support of our parents. We were doing the best we could.”
“You were so angry with each other for so long.”
She sighs. “We were still learning who we were as people, and we were struggling. I’d like to think that we’ve both matured. Time and distance have made us realize that what drew us to each other in the beginning is still there.”
“You met at a kegger. I’m sure beer goggles helped.”
“I understand your anger. Things got out of hand during the divorce.”
I jam a hand in my hair. “You think?”
“I’m sorry, Jenna. Truly. Your dad is too. That’s why we’ve been trying to talk to you. Maybe we can all sit down for dinner—”
Nausea roils through my gut. “No, that’s okay. I’ll see you at the wedding. I gotta go. I’m at work.”
I say bye and immediately call Eli.
“Hello,” he says warmly. “I was just thinking about you.”
My shoulders relax, and the nausea instantly settles. “You were?”
“Yup. Those crepes you made for breakfast with the apples and whipped cream were amazing.”
I laugh. “Okay, so you love my skills in the kitchen.”
“More than that, beautiful.”
My heart races as it hits me—I love him. I love hearing his voice, love his smile, just plain love being with him, both in bed and out. I’m suddenly tongue-tied.
“You okay?” he asks.
“Yes, sorry. Flailing a bit here over an email I just got. I have a favor to ask, and I totally understand if you don’t want to do it.”
“Ask away.”
“My parents are getting remarried in two weeks. Halloween-themed wedding. I know it sounds hideous. I wasn’t going to go, but then my sister, Evie, well, she’s Eve now, asked me to. She wants to reconnect.”
“I remember Evie. We were in the same grade. Serious kid.”
“Yeah, I guess. Neither of us are sunshine and roses.”
“You’re roses. Elegant and classy.”
My cheeks flush at the compliment. “Eli.”
“Are you blushing?”
“No. Stop.”
“Yeah, you are. Okay, I’ll go and help you face down the horror show.”
He really gets it. What a great guy! “Thank you.”
“You’ll owe me a huge favor though.”
I can hear the smile in his voice. “Oh yeah? What’s that?”
“I’ll let you know when the next obligatory social function pops up, and you’ll so be there. High school reunion? Ex’s wedding? Family dinner?”
“Oh, come on, you have a great family.”
“They’re relentless.”
“So are you.”
He lets out a manly sigh. “You love it.”
I smile. “You have your moments.”
“Actually, a family dinner would be a good idea, bring this out in the open and come clean with Syd.”
I stop smiling. “No.”
His voice turns coaxing. “We’ve been seeing each other for more than six weeks now.”
A tickling of unease goes through me. “No, it’s been, like, two weeks.”
“Two weeks since the breakup hiccup. Before that we went to New Hampshire, and we spent time together, circling the attraction, both of us into each other. You admitted you’ve been lusting for me since you bumped into my car and got the full Eli effect up close and personal.”
I pace the hallway in the back of my shop. “I guess I didn’t realize how