Dev had no problem fighting impulse or bad decisions. She relished trying to help Bailey have a bigger, better future, whether she wanted it or not. But how could she fight her sister’s need to connect to Mom?
Pris cleared her throat. “I vote with Bailey,” she said firmly. “I don’t want to sell either, but I am open to compromising on how we pay for the upkeep and taxes.”
Usually, Pris siding with Bailey would ignite her temper, but this was different. Something was changing between them, and Dev didn’t want to fight anymore. The shopping trip and lunch had given her a glimpse of the old days—when they cared about one another as a unit more than themselves as individuals. Before their relationships had withered and died while Mom looked on, unable to stop it.
It was all their faults in different ways. But if Dev pushed and fought to sell this house, she might never get another chance with her sisters.
And right now, that was most important.
A tightness squeezed her chest, practically strangling her. Oh God, it was too much. She needed to get out of here.
Dev managed a nod and stood up. “Majority rules. We’ll talk more logistics later. I think I’ll go for a walk.”
“No, Dev, don’t go like this. We don’t want you to be upset,” Pris said.
How could she tell them it was this new closeness that was driving her away, rather than the sale she lost out on? She needed repetitive motion to gather her thoughts.
Dev forced a smile. “I swear, I’m not mad. I really just need some air.”
Bailey stared at her for a while, then slowly nodded. “Okay. Want company?”
“No, why don’t you both take a nap? I won’t be long, and then we can get changed for dinner and head out for the night.”
“Sounds good,” Pris said.
Dev grabbed her phone and fled.
She sucked in a lungful of air but instead got a choking mass of heat. Damn, probably wasn’t the best time for a hike, at the peak of afternoon, but she needed alone time to figure things out. She’d expected the fighting but not the longing to heal their rifts—not like this. It was hard to explain the things she felt, especially with her sisters. Some time alone might help.
“Hey.”
The familiar voice made her pause and spin on her heel. Hawke closed the distance between them in a few long-legged strides. Towering over six feet, he had a powerful physique, but he didn’t give off the arrogant ego she’d expected. His clothes were relaxed and casual—khaki shorts, a white T-shirt stretched tight over his chest, and sneakers. His skin was a tanned brown. She’d enjoyed their conversation last night. He was direct, which she appreciated, but what was he doing in front of their house? “Hi, Hawke. What’s up?”
“Not much. Was going to knock on your door, actually. See if you wanted to take a walk.”
She stared at him, confused. “Oh. Well, um, Bailey and Pris are grabbing naps now.”
“What about you?”
She blinked. His direct stare was a bit much for her. Those blue-gray eyes reminded her of both a storm cloud and the Listerine blue of the sea. The combination intrigued her, but she got stuck somewhere within his gaze and it was a bit of a jolt. She shook her head to dissolve the weird trance. “I was already going out for a walk.”
“Great. Mind if I join you, or did you want to be alone?”
His words confused her. “You want to go for a walk with me?”
His lower lip quirked. “Yeah. That okay?”
“Sure. Come on, let’s go. It’s hot as Hades and I need some shade.” She didn’t know why he’d want to walk with her and not Bailey, who he was obviously interested in, but what the hell? As long as he realized she walked fast and hated a leisurely pace. Then again, if he was a New Yorker he’d be able to keep up.
“Would you like me to lead? I know some good paths off the main beat.”
She gave him a humorous look. “That sounds great, thanks. I guess you can tell I’m a bit of a control freak.”
Their shoes made a steady, soothing rhythm over the path. “Nope. But us numbers people have a certain love for order, which sometimes pushes us to lead. Let me ask you this: would you rather delegate to have more free time or do it yourself even though you’ll work nonstop hours?”
“The latter.”
“See? That’s how I used to be.”
Curiosity burned as hot as the sun on her skin. “What’s your story? If you don’t mind my asking.”
He gave a shrug. “Not very interesting. Worked in finance in New York for years. Reached burnout. Had a come-to-Jesus moment and decided to walk away and live here for a while. That’s it.”
She gulped a breath. “Um, dude, that’s a lot. Where did you work?”
He paused and Dev knew something big was coming. “Delmar & Associates.”
She tripped. His hand darted out to steady her. His company was one of the ones she’d be teaching in August—a pool of some of their brightest executives. How strange. “They’re one of the most successful investment firms in New York.”
“Yeah, that’s them.”
His face was serene as he spoke. She tried to see if there was any tightness in his jaw, or if he seemed disturbed talking about his past, but his energy didn’t seem to change. “Did you have a big position?”
“I’m on the board, so yes, I was high up.”
Dev shook her head. “Wow.”
She let his words settle and they walked in silence down the flight of steps. Finally, he looked over, one blond brow raised. “That all you got?”
“I never said I was an English major. I prefer numbers.”
He laughed then, and a wash of pleasure rushed through her. He had a good laugh. Masculine, robust, and without apology. “Do you like living in New York?”
“I love it. I seem to thrive in busy cities.”
“I did too. I still miss New York. The crowds and smell. The bagels you can get when the bakeries open at five a.m. All the busyness that makes you feel important.”
“I know why you didn’t mention missing the pizza.”
“Thank God for that.”
They passed burnt-orange houses with wrought-iron balconies. An elderly woman was shaking out a big rug, and when she spotted them, she called out. Hawke stopped, his head tilted up, a grin wreathing his face. They spoke back and forth in rapid Italian. Dev enjoyed the almost musical flow of sound from their lips; the obvious affection between them; the feel of connection on a back side road across the world.