In fairness, she was more of an autumn person.

Izzy sat up in her seat. “Well, all that may be true, but—”

“Then there’s the people,” Nora went on, not quite through with her rant. She rested an elbow on the armrest of her chair and pointed at us. “Everyone behaves so nonsensically this time of year. They’re practically overflowing with hope and excitement. And for what? A mild breeze and a bit of sunshine? Ridiculous.” Suddenly a blue bird swooped in out of nowhere and landed on Nora’s finger. She blinked at it. “You, my tiny feathered friend, are only proving my point.”

The bird twittered prettily then flew away.

“But, Nora,” Izzy said with a somewhat nervous-sounding laugh, “wasn’t it your idea for us to come out here to enjoy all that spring has to offer?”

“Oh no, Sister. Don’t you dare try to pin this on me.”

I frowned. Pin what on who now?

Izzy huffed a breath. “I knew I shouldn’t have included you in this.” Her eyes widened when she caught me looking at her. “In this viewing of the sunset,” she added, awkwardly, before looking back at Nora. “You haven’t liked spring since high school. Wasn’t it your junior year when—”

“Absolutely nothing happened.” Nora pulled down her oversized black sunglasses to give her sister a ferocious look. “And I do not hate spring.” She pushed her sunglasses back up and laid her forearms delicately on the armrests of her chair. “I simply think it’s overrated.”

Izzy held up her hands in defeat.

“Wait, what are we talking about?” I asked, finally getting a word in. There was clearly a great deal being communicated under the surface here. I had a lot of questions, but I opted to start with, “What happened junior year?”

“Absolutely nothing,” Nora repeated in a clipped tone.

I twirled my long black braid between my fingers as I looked back and forth between my aunts.

The two of them certainly did paint a contrasting picture. Nora was looking rather elegant this evening—if not a touch severe—in her black silk jumpsuit with a gauze kimono shawl. She had her fiery red hair twisted up into a tight bun on the top of her head, accentuating her long neck and perfect posture. Izzy, in comparison, appeared fresh and sweet in her pink, floral dress with a ruffled hem. Her strawberry blond hair sat loose and curled about her shoulders, wavering charmingly in the breeze.

I had to admit I felt a little undressed in my wrap sweater and jersey leggings. But, in fairness, no one had told me I needed to dress for the occasion. Not that this was an occasion. We were just taking in the sunset. At least I thought that’s what we were doing. Suddenly I wasn’t so sure.

“Why are we even talking about spring? Or unremarkable junior years?” Nora asked grumpily. “I thought we were supposed to be out here talking about Brynn.”

And there it was. I should have known.