Chapter 4
Emily Miller was refilling the pitcher of margaritas from a blender she’d set on the servery when she heard a man’s voice in the next room. It was probably Caleb. Debbie always invited her husband to attend their monthly potluck, as did Gwen. But neither man generally came. She couldn’t blame them; it was a monthly gabfest of four women, and the two men often found themselves tucked away in the den watching sports instead of at the table. Although the food was worth coming for, in her opinion. And it wasn’t big-headed to say so, even though she’d had a hand in most of it, because it was Joanna’s skill and expertise that got them here — she was the obedient assistant. Nothing more than that. She’d learned a lot since she first took on the job.
She set the heavy pitcher on the table and glanced through the doorway. The man wore camouflage. That couldn’t be Caleb. He always dressed in a dapper style, with impeccable taste but never in military gear.
“Who is that?” she asked.
Joanna looked up and let out a cry. She pushed herself to her feet and fumbled for the walking cane. “Oh, blast. Can you please help me, Emily?”
Emily gave Joanna the cane before she rushed out into the kitchen. She launched herself at the man, who laughed as he caught her.
“Aaron!” she cried as she cupped his cheeks between her hands and gazed up at his face.
He leaned down to kiss her forehead. “Hey, Granny. I thought I’d surprise you.”
“And you most definitely did.”
“What’s with the cane?” he asked, concern etched on his face.
“I fell earlier, but I’m fine. Come in and take a seat. We’re eating, and there’s plenty to go around. I hope you’re hungry.”
“I’m starved, but do you mind if I take a shower and change first? It’s been a long trip.”
Emily took a step back and hid behind the wall of the dining room. Gwen joined the other ladies in greeting Aaron, but Emily clutched her hands to her chest, heart thumping. Aaron was back in Sunshine. She’d had the biggest crush on him in high school. And yes, it was eight years since he’d graduated and joined the Army. He’d broken her heart when he left. But even though so much time had passed, it seemed like yesterday.
The familiar jolt of adrenaline, the sweating palms, the racing heart. She remembered it all. He’d been the best friend of her older brother, Tristan. The two of them had been inseparable. Aaron had spent most of his spare time at their house, swimming in the pool with them or playing table tennis. Watching movies or eating meals together.
He’d been the cutest guy in school, and she’d loved him from a distance for two heartbreaking years. Now he was back on the island and visiting Joanna, his grandmother. How long would he be there? Probably not long. Maybe he was on furlough. She hadn’t seen him since he graduated, but she always knew it was a possibility he would show up on Joanna’s doorstep. She’d mistakenly believed she’d have warning and could’ve made an excuse to be out when the time came.
He didn’t come into the dining room, and soon she heard the sound of the shower turning on. Her shower. In the guest bathroom, true, but it was the bathroom she used. All her things were in there. Her loofah, her pink tube of face wash, her razor. She pressed her hands to her cheeks. There was no polite way to get out of there. She’d have to face him when he was done in the shower. But how would she play it? Was she still annoyed with him? He’d left without a word. But then, he didn’t owe her anything. He’d stolen her first kiss, but that was an entirely different story that she didn’t have time to obsess about now. He probably didn’t even remember. He’d acted as though it didn’t happen.
The ladies returned to the dining room, chatting happily about how exciting it was to have Joanna’s grandson back after all this time.
“Were you expecting him?” Debbie asked as they sat again.
Joanna was beaming. “No, I had no idea. He could’ve called. But it’s very like him. He’s the impulsive one.”
“You were just saying how none of them visits, and now look,” Gwen said with a teary smile. “It’s wonderful.”
“Don’t get me started.” Joanna sniffled as she patted her cheeks with a cloth napkin. “I’ll run my makeup.”
“What’s he doing here? Visiting or staying?” Emily asked as she topped up everyone’s drinks.
Joanna shrugged. “I don’t know. We haven’t got around to talking about that yet. I’m sure he’s tired and hungry. He’s come right from Darwin. It’s not far on the plane, but apparently he had a long truck ride before that. And he hasn’t showered or eaten in two days. We’ll have to get some food into him before we bombard him with questions.”
By the time Aaron was showered and dressed, the ladies had finished their main course and were chatting over another glass of margaritas. He peeped through the doorway.
“Should I get a plate?”
Gwen hurried to help him. “I’ll get you one, sweetheart. You take a seat at the table. You must be exhausted. And your granny isn’t feeling her best.”
Aaron sat in the only empty chair, beside Emily. She did her best to smile and not let her jackhammering heart betray her. He looked better than in high school. He’d filled out in a good way. His hair was shorter, but still thick and dark, wet from the shower. His face had matured, and he had an even more athletic build than he had before. He wore a pair of board shorts and a T-shirt.
“Hi,” he said. “I’m Aaron.”
He didn’t recognise her. How was that possible? Surely she hadn’t changed so much. Although she’d only been fifteen when he left. So, she could probably cut him a break.
“I know,” she replied. “I’m Emily.”
“Oh, do we know each other?”
“Emily Miller… Tristan’s sister.”
Recognition flashed across his handsome face. “Oh, little Emily-Bug.”
Her cheeks flushed with warmth. “Yes, well, I don’t really go by that name anymore.”
He laughed. “Of course, sorry. Good to see you again, Emily. I wasn’t expecting you to be here.” He glanced up at his grandmother, confusion on his face. No doubt he was wondering how Emily fit into the Sunshine Potluck Society his granny held every month with her sixty-year-old friends.
“Emily works as my in-home carer, darling,” Joanna said. “I’m sure I told you that. She helps take care of me and with the cookbooks.”
“Cool. Maybe you told me. Sorry, I forgot.”
Great, she was unrecognisable and forgettable. A perfect combination.
“And sorry for not recognising you,” he whispered with a wink. “You’ve really grown up.”
She wasn’t about to be taken in again by the former bad boy of Sunshine High. She’d already gone down that path once, and she wasn’t about to fall for him again. It would only mean another broken heart.