Unhinge - Calia Read Page 0,36

multiple times already, but at least now we can go through a detailed list of what’s been done and what still needs to be done.”

We stepped through the doors and entered a construction zone. Drywall was up. It didn’t seem like any progress had happened since the last time. The wrought-iron banister was being installed. We were so close to being done. “It looks amazing.”

We went from room to room. Sinclair went through a detailed list of everything and the longer he talked, the more I found myself staring at him. All of my frustrations that I carried with me into the house seemed to fall off my shoulders. He had a natural way of speaking that instantly put me at ease. When I asked a question, he looked at me. Not through me. Directly at me.

We stepped into what I referred to as the baby’s room. I made a direct beeline to the window. Brand-new windows had just been installed. With my arms crossed I peered into my backyard. I smiled. The yard was beautiful, looking more and more like the perfect haven I’d always dreamed of. I wished I could take credit for it, but it was Renee’s hard work. Along the fence was landscaping, with a few flowers planted here and there.

“It’s a pretty view.”

I turned and saw Sinclair leaning against the door. It sounded like he was referring to the garden but his eyes were on me. My heart quickened but I didn’t look away like I probably should have. Instead, I held his gaze. There was a faint stirring in me. Warning bells went off in my head.

I gave him a brief smile and returned my attention to the backyard. “My big plans for the backyard are finally starting to take shape.”

He came up beside me. “What are your ‘big plans’?”

I crossed my arms and tilted my head to the side, staring thoughtfully out the window. And told him everything. All the decisions that I normally kept to myself, I revealed to him. By the time I was done talking, I was slightly out of breath, shocked at how easily and willingly I’d spoken.

Sinclair whistled. “You have it all planned out.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sinclair staring at me. Heat rose to my cheeks and I tried to pretend that it was nothing. “The house is going to be beautiful, but this garden? This garden is going to be beautiful. No offense.”

He smiled. “None taken.”

Silence circled around us. Sinclair didn’t move from my side. He gazed out the window. “You know,” he said slowly, “I didn’t peg you for a garden-type person.”

“What did you peg me as?”

“A pool person.”

My eyes widened and my body shifted, just a small bit, in his direction. “A pool person?”

He nodded and continued to stare outside, knowing full well that he had my attention. “The ritzy person who wants an immaculate yard and an inground pool with a grotto. They’ll spend all this money, but they’ll never use it.”

I nodded. “Ah, I understand.”

He looked skeptical. “Do you really?”

Leaning in slightly, I said, “The person you just described is my mom.”

He laughed and I just smiled.

“Have you lived in Falls Church long?” he asked.

“Born and raised here.” I glanced at him. “You?”

“I moved here two years ago. I grew up in a small town. Farmville, Virginia.”

“I’ve heard of it.”

“Well, you might be the only person that’s heard of it. My parents still live there.”

“You left them all alone?” I teased lightly.

“Don’t feel bad for them. Two of my siblings live around the area. And then I have a sister who lives in Falls Church…actually, she’s your gardener.”

“Renee?” My eyes widened, but my mind was running, putting Sinclair and Renee next to each other and seeing if there were any similarities. Now that I was looking closely at Sinclair, I could see it: the olive skin, coal-black hair. High cheekbones.

Sinclair simply nodded and a hint of a smirk played at his lips.

“She never mentioned it.”

“Renee isn’t exactly the most talkative person.”

“I gathered that. At first I thought I was annoying her.”

“Oh, believe me, if you were annoying her, she’d let you know. Renee comes off as aloof, but as you get to know her she’ll come out of her shell.”

“Good to know.”

Was it wrong of me to want this conversation to never end? Probably.

Out of the corner of my eye, I snuck another glance at him. Sinclair caught me red-handed. He smirked, and two parentheses appeared at the