But today, I could sense a shift. I only hoped it was in the direction I wanted.

Kash was already gone for the day, and I pulled on clothes and padded downstairs, breaking up another Bennet whisper session. My mother, Laney, and Jett popped apart with comically wide smiles on their faces.

I folded my arms and gave them a lazy smile. “What are you whispering about?”

“Nothing! Nothing at all, Lucas,” Mom said, floating across the room with a flush smudging her cheeks. “Did you sleep well? Are you hungry? Laney, get the donuts. We have Blanche’s. Would you like Blanche’s?”

I eyed her as I baited, “No time. Going down to the shop.”

Her face snapped open like I’d known it would. “Oh, no—you have to have breakfast first! They don’t need you down there, no, not yet.” She hooked her small hand in my elbow and tugged me toward the table.

It was like the time they’d tried to throw me a surprise party. The Bennets sucked at secrets—everyone except Marcus and Dad at least.

“Not hungry, but thanks, Mom.” I dislodged her hand in the same motion that I kissed the top of her head. “Natalie’s coming to the shop to talk about the feature, and I need to meet her soon. Want to make sure everything’s looking good down there before she gets here.”

The three of them exchanged a worried glance.

Mom grabbed my arm again as Laney pulled out her phone and scooted into the kitchen.

“Well, if you have to go, I’ll come with you,” Mom insisted. “Just let me get my shoes on.”

The next fifteen minutes were spent being stalled by my mother. First with a case of missing shoes—her favorites for her outfit, she insisted. Then, it was a hunt for a sweater even though it was almost ninety degrees out. Whoops, look at that, she had forgotten to take her medicine, which killed another five minutes. A bathroom stop, a brief phone call, and a question Laney needed an urgent answer for in the kitchen, and we were finally walking out the door.

“Subtle, Mom,” I said with a smile as I opened the door.

She smiled slyly up at me as I passed. “It’s unlike you to be suspicious, Lucas.”

“You would make the world’s worst spy, you know that?”

With a laugh, she said, “It’s true. Never did have a taste for firearms.”

And then it was my turn to laugh as we descended the stairs to the sidewalk, turning for the shop. I looked up, not sure what to expect.

That was when I saw her.

Tess stood in front of the turquoise door, sunlight gleaming on her auburn hair, casting a shine on it like a new penny. Her velvety eyes were alight with hope and apology as she stood before me, waiting for me.

“Hear her out, Lucas. And tell her how you feel,” Mom said gently, squeezing my arm before letting it go.