Searching for Beautiful(113)

Gina and her mother both swatted him on opposite sides. Taylor giggled.

“Where’s Alexa and Nick?” Gen asked.

“Lily has a virus, so they’re both staying home tonight. I’ll bring her chicken soup tomorrow.”

Gen smiled. She loved how her mom’s chicken soup cured illness and general malaise. They plunged into general conversation, with teasing, jibes, and lots of wine. Her mother had just declared dinner ready. Everyone got up and began filing into the dining room, when a loud bang echoed through the house.

Izzy walked in.

Gen stared. Her sister had stopped coming to family dinners a long time ago. She remembered that fateful dinner when Izzy had barged in hopped up on drugs, sneering at their so-called happy family and launching personal attacks on everyone. Gen shuddered at the memory.

So much hurt and betrayal, as if they were living through their father’s alcoholic spiral all over again. When her father finally threw her out, yanking all privileges to visit in a symbol of tough love, Izzy swore never to return.

She’d been clean for a while now, but something was different. Usually her razor-sharp wit, sarcasm, and raw energy shimmered around her. Today, she looked . . . reserved. Troubled. Her pitch-black hair with purple streaks was pinned up from her face. She’d gone easy on the makeup, allowing the same freckles Gen sported to pop through. Navy blue eyes that matched her own were clear but held a weariness she hadn’t seen before.

The rest of the family seemed frozen, caught between surprise and worry that her good behavior was a mirage.

Wolfe broke the silence and stepped forward. “Izzy, it’s good to see you. Hope you didn’t want any antipasti. We pretty much annihilated it.”

Was that relief that flickered across her face? A half smile curved her lips, which were a natural pink rather than bloodred. She wore jeans and a simple black T-shirt, baring two of her tats. Sneakers instead of spiked metal heels were on her feet. “Gen always hoarded the pepperoni anyway.”

Joy surged through her, and not caring how uncool or how much her twin hated it, she launched herself for a tackle hug. “I’m so happy you’re here!”

Izzy laughed and hugged her back. Red tinged her cheeks. “Me, too.”

They both turned at Maria’s voice, slightly husky from emotion. “My beautiful girls are here to dine with us. Today is a gift.”

Jim cleared his throat. “Perfect timing, sweetheart. Let’s go dig in.”

Dinner was idyllic. Izzy was quiet, but smiled more often. Her usual snarky comebacks were nonexistent. Gen noted her gaze consistently darted around the table, as if studying everyone’s mood. Did she have some type of announcement to make? Better to play it cool and let her sister open up when she felt comfortable. The idea of having a real relationship with her again made her heart ache with need. All those late nights giggling and sharing secrets. The way Izzy protected her from the bullies at school who made fun of them for looking alike. Crying together over the loss of their father, and holding hands under the table during the bitter fights between their parents. So many memories tumbling past her vision, and an ache she’d never been able to get over. As if a piece of her was always missing.

So she enjoyed her sister’s presence, drinking her in, and let the warm glow of family wash over her. Wolfe was comfortable with everyone but her father, so he got involved in the playful banter without hesitation.

God, she loved him.

Gen ducked her head and concentrated on her plate. How easy the admission was. No fanfare or drama. Just a quiet knowledge that all roads had led to Wolfe. All the pain, and growth, regrets of the past meant nothing now. In fact, the present was even sweeter for having found him on her own. Their timing had never been right before.

Until now. She had a chance. The plan was simple. Let him lead, follow Arilyn’s advice, and let the moment rule. One day he might just look up and realize he loved her, too. Realize it wasn’t that scary, and that he could finally trust her with his past.

“You look really happy.”

Gen tilted her head and gazed at her mother. The quiet words and knowing look gave her an approval she couldn’t have asked for but received anyway. “I am,” she said.

“Is David bothering you anymore?” Gina asked with concern. “That whole restraining order was really scary.”

Gen’s father mumbled something under his breath. Wolfe glared at her.

“He delivered all my stuff back,” she said. “He’s decided to take a position in Boston, so he’ll be moving soon.”

“Does that mean you’re going back to the hospital?” Lance asked.