Barely Breathing (The Breathing #2)(85)

"You are far from awkward," he said.

"Believe me, he knows awkward," Stuart teased with a light laugh.

"Dad!" Evan scorned, but with a playfulness in his voice. "She's not awkward either."

"She's something else entirely," Stuart chuckled.

"What do you mean?" she asked. Analise―of course.

I knocked. All conversation ceased as I became visible at the entrance.

"Hi." I scanned each surprised face and noted the stacks of envelopes piled on the large conference table where they were sitting.

"Hi," Evan acknowledged with a dazzling smile. "It's ten?" I nodded. "Sorry. Lost track of time. Do you want to help? I promised my mother we'd stuff all of these envelopes before we left. We're almost done."

"Oh." I glanced from Analise's bright eyes to Stuart, who wouldn't look at me at all. "Um, I need to get my things together for the hike. I just kinda threw them in my car so I could get here. I'll meet you outside, if that's okay."

"Okay, sure," Evan replied hesitantly. "I won't be long." I nodded and slowly walked away.

I'd obviously interrupted something, and I wasn't about to ruin it with my awkwardness. I couldn't believe I'd heard Stuart laugh. I'd never even seen him smile. I closed the kitchen door behind me, shutting out the voices and laughter with it.

I walked toward the garage instead of my car, leaving my expertly packed backpack resting on the backseat. I made my way up the stairs to the rec room, plopping down on the couch.

I lay there, staring at the beamed ceiling.

My phone beeped. How are you this morning? lit up the screen.

Tired. And you?

Same, he answered. I'm really sorry about last night. How is she today?

Didn't see her.

I'm going to talk to her. Going to be honest.

I stared at the last text, not sure what part he planned to be honest about. Before I could respond, I heard, "Here you are." Sara stood at the top of the stairs.

"Hi," I sat up in surprise. "What are you doing back?"

"We're going hiking with you," she revealed in excitement.



       
         
       
        

"Great," I responded, but my voice fell flat.

Sara eyed me suspiciously. "Do you not want us to? Did you want to be alone with Evan?"

"No, it's great," I smiled weakly, truly not concerned with the added company.

"You're not right," Sara observed, coming around to sit next to me on the couch. "Spill it."

"It's nothing really. Just tired. My mother and Jonathan had a fight last night, and I thought they broke up … "

"I heard," Sara gawked. "I thought Jill was exaggerating."

I groaned. Of course. Jill had front row seats to most of the debacle. "Did Jill say anything else?" I asked, suddenly concerned that the drinking part was leaked as well.

"No," Sara returned. "Why? Is there something else?"

"No," I lied. "That was enough drama for one night."

"That's why today is exactly what you need," Sara gleamed, jumping up and pulling me to my feet. "Fresh air with your best friend and your boyfriend. And, of course, my boyfriend too. I've missed you. We all need this."

"True," I agreed, a smile eventually taking shape without effort.

I followed Sara down the stairs. Anna's SUV was parked behind my car, and Jared was tossing two backpacks into it. I added my backpack to the pile and eyed the bags, coming up with one too many.

"She's what?!"

Sara stood on the bottom step, eyeing Analise, who was standing next to Evan on the porch, all bubbly and excited. With Sara's reaction, Analise's smile deflated. I walked closer to hear what was going on.

"Come on, Sara," Evan countered. "What's one more person?"

I realized what they were discussing, and my shoulders sank. Evan looked to me for support. I forced my cheeks up and cheerily contributed, "Analise, you're coming with us, right?"

"Is that okay?" she questioned, looking from me to Sara. Sara tightened her eyes in my direction, not appreciating my betrayal. Then she turned back toward Analise with a sugary smile.

"Sure," Sara exclaimed with forced excitement. "It'll be great." I couldn't help but smile wider at her exaggerated reaction. "Jared, why don't you drive? That way Emma and I can get to know Analise." She tossed him the keys.

After moving my car onto the street, I jumped into the backseat of the SUV and we headed north along the Connecticut-New York border into the mountains.