More than once, I've been thinking about her scars. I knew she grew up in a group home, but I haven't had a real sense of the hardships she's been through. She's brave and bold, and I haven't met anyone like her. I have the overwhelming need to make sure she never goes through hardships again. Totally normal, right?
Summer talks our ears off about Clara while we shop for her, and she's slowly reverting to her usual cheerful self.
"Shit! It's getting late," Summer exclaims when we carry the last load to her car. "I'm meeting Caroline later, by the way." She wiggles her eyebrows at Daniel.
"How is she?" I ask. "Didn't have time to talk to her too much at the wedding."
Daniel throws me a look that says, You're supposed to have my back.
Whenever our sisters insinuate that Daniel and Caroline should try dating again, I change the subject, even though I actually think the girls are right. Regardless, I usually have his back, twin bond and all that. But right now, I'm testing a theory. Also, payback for not having my back at the ranch.
"She's great. She talked me into taking kickboxing lessons with her. I went twice. It's actually fun," Summer says. "It's good for anger release and keeps our booty in shape. Win-win. I tried to rope Pippa into it too, but...."
"Bribe her with cupcakes," Daniel suggests.
"Tried. Failed. But Caroline's a pro at it. She's been doing it for a year, and she looks better than ever." She bats her eyelashes at Daniel. "Don't you think?"
"She's always looked great," he answers. When Summer ducks in her trunk with a satisfied smile, rearranging some of the plants, Daniel holds up his hands as if saying, Need some help here.
He's out of luck today because my theory is right. If Summer's busy masterminding, she's gonna stop thinking about that douchebag, for now at least. I'm going to run this tactic into the ground, even if it means throwing both Daniel and me under the bus.
"Anyway, she's dating this gorgeous instructor," she says. "They're quite serious."
Daniel has a murderous expression. "What? She was alone at the wedding. When did she start dating him? How serious can it be if she didn't bring him to the wedding?"
"Yes!" Summer exclaims, straightening up, peeling away a leaf that caught in her hair, and grinning at Daniel from ear to ear.
It's official. Daniel's even more clueless than I am. He just dug his own grave.
"I made him up. To...err … check your level of interest."
Once again, I marvel at my sisters' talent to get what they want. The tactic is deceptively simple: subtract a helpful brother-me-add a seemingly innocent remark that's sure to bring out a reaction. Simple and brilliant, but no one except Pippa and Summer can pull it off.
My brother groans. Summer perks up, rubbing her hands in excitement. She'll be plotting Daniel's downfall instead of drowning in self-doubt because of her dating disaster. My job here is done.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Clara
The week on set is riddled with mishaps, yet we still somehow managed to finish two hours before the deadline-Thursday at midnight. I briefly consider driving back to San Francisco the same night. I miss my bed, and a certain hot and handsome neighbor who has become so much more than a neighbor. In the end, I decide to stay the night and drive back in the morning. It's too dangerous. I'm tired, and even with Blake's anti-sleep alarm, I won't risk it.
I drive off early the next morning and wait until it's eight o'clock to call Blake. I'm just about to dial his number when my phone lights up with an incoming call from him.
"Hey! I was just about to call you."
"When will you be in town?"
Sighing, I tighten my grip on the wheel. His voice is a little rough, like he just woke up, and my insides squeeze at the sound of it. How can his voice alone affect me so much? I mean, the man's voice is sexy as all get-out, but it's still a little ridiculous.
"Lunch, but I still have to go by the studio, drop some things off, and send some e-mails. I'll probably be there the entire afternoon."
"Can you be ready at six?"
"Why?"
"We're going on a date."
I do a little happy dance in my seat, which probably looks crazy to anyone passing by, but I couldn't care less. A date with Blake Bennett. A date!
Since I am not well versed in the art of "no labels," I wasn't really sure how this would play out.
I clear my throat, trying to sound like this is no big deal. "When and where? Why didn't I know about this?"
"I was going to surprise you."
"No, no, no. I need a proper heads-up, so I can get ready."
"Let me get this straight. I can attack and seduce you in the middle of the night, but I have to give you a heads-up for a date?"