A Second Chance at Us

Chapter Six

A Second Chance at Us

Chapter Six — Dinner Together

By six that evening, the house smelled like roasted chicken, garlic, and rosemary.

Mum had been cooking since four.

That usually meant she wanted everyone at the table.

I changed out of my gardening clothes and went downstairs.

William was already there.

He was standing by the kitchen counter, sleeves rolled up, helping Mum carry dishes.

He looked up when I entered.

“You're late.”

I checked the clock.

“It's six-oh-one.”

“Exactly.”

I smiled.

“Since when did you become punctual?”

“Since Mum started threatening me with kitchen duty.”

Mum laughed.

“Don't listen to him. He volunteered.”

“I did not.”

“You did.”

I sat down at the table, trying not to smile.

For a few minutes, everything felt normal.

Mum served dinner and immediately began asking questions.

“So, William, what are you thinking about doing now?”

He shrugged.

“I've been looking at a few jobs.”

“Here?”

“Maybe.”

I looked at him.

“Maybe?”

He nodded.

“I haven't decided.”

“Are you thinking about leaving again?”

The question slipped out before I could stop it.

William looked at me.

“I didn't say that.”

“I know.”

“But you sounded worried.”

“I wasn't.”

He raised an eyebrow.

I took a sip of water.

Mum watched us carefully.

“You two haven't changed,” she said.

I looked at her.

“What does that mean?”

“You're always trying to figure out what the other person is thinking.”

William laughed.

“She still does that.”

“Because you're terrible at talking.”

“I talk.”

“You avoid.”

He shook his head.

Mum smiled.

“See?”

I laughed.

Dinner continued.

We talked about ordinary things.

Work.

The weather.

The garden.

A ridiculous story about one of Mum's neighbors.

For the first time in a long time, I felt completely relaxed.

Then Mum mentioned Ava.

It happened quietly.

She asked William whether he'd decided what to do with the wedding invitations they'd never sent.

The table went silent.

William looked down.

“I haven't.”

“You don't have to decide now.”

“I know.”

Mum reached across the table.

William took her hand.

I looked away.

I didn't want him to see the sadness in my eyes.

After dinner, Mum went upstairs.

William and I stayed behind to clean up.

I washed.

He dried.

For several minutes, neither of us said anything.

Then he spoke.

“You were quiet.”

“I didn't know what to say.”

“You don't have to say anything.”

“I know.”

He put a plate down.

“Penny.”

I looked at him.

“I know this isn't easy.”

“What isn't?”

“Having me back.”

My hands stopped moving.

“Why would you think that?”

“Because I'm different.”

“So am I.”

“I know.”

He leaned against the counter.

“I just don't want you to feel like you have to take care of me.”

“I don't.”

“You've always taken care of everyone.”

“Someone has to.”

“You don't always have to be that person.”

His words stayed with me.

I turned off the tap.

“You don't have to worry about me.”

“I do.”

“Why?”

He looked at me.

“Because you're my sister.”

My heart sank.

It shouldn't have.

Those were perfectly normal words.

The words I'd expected.

The words that should have made everything simple.

Instead, I felt something inside me twist.

I smiled anyway.

“Right.”

William seemed to notice the change in my expression.

“Penny?”

“I'm tired.”

I dried my hands.

“I'm going upstairs.”

He nodded.

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

I walked upstairs without looking back.

When I reached my room, I closed the door and leaned against it.

My heart was beating too fast.

I pressed my hands against my face.

This was becoming a problem.

A serious one.

Because William had just reminded me exactly what our relationship was.

And instead of feeling relieved...

I felt disappointed.

I sat on my bed and stared at the floor.

I didn't want to feel this way.

I didn't ask for it.

I hadn't planned it.

But feelings didn't always ask permission before appearing.

And now that I'd noticed them, I wasn't sure how to make them disappear.