Polished Rust (Wilkins Brothers Book #4)

Chapter 13

ROSEMARY

Tate’s woodsy scent invaded my sense of smell while we made our way into the vacation home. My heart was beating so quickly that if this was an animated show, they’d show it beating out of my chest. The ways his hands felt on me and his lips, everything took me back to that night. The night that I felt wanted in a way that never happened before.

My sister was right down this hall though, I had to get my emotions in check before she could read them all over my flushed face. When we entered the kitchen area, Mercy was taste testing her salad dressing. The second she looked up, I knew I was busted. I was just praying that she wouldn’t do or say too much to make things awkward, but she was sixteen, so who knew what route she would take tonight.

“Is this our guest?” I noticed my sister’s eyes were narrowed in on the piece of man meat behind me. I was a sixteen-year-old girl once too, I knew she’d find him attractive as well.

“Mercy, this is my friend Tate, the one I was telling you about last night.”

“Hey, Tate. I’m Mercy. I guess you knew that, Rosemary just said it. So, yeah, that’s me.”

She clamped her lips together when she realized she was rambling, but I couldn’t say I blamed her. I’m sure Tate Wilkins had the same effect on multiple women. He moved around me and put his hand out. Mercy dropped the spoon like it was on fire and shook his hand.

“Hi, Mercy. It is a pleasure to meet you. What are you making here?” He asked, referring to the salad dressing she was working on.

“Oh, this old thing? Just a white balsamic vinaigrette to go with the roasted vegetable salad.”

My poor sister was stumbling over her words and Tate was completely amused by it. “I’m not sure I’ve ever made my own salad dressing before.”

“No big deal, really.”

“She’s selling herself short, Tate.” I reach for a clean spoon and dip it into the dressing to offer Tate a taste, “Mercy started watching cooking shows before she could even drive. She cooks better than most adults I know.”

Tate tries the dressing and his eyes open wide, “Wow, this might be one of the best salad dressings I have ever had. Are you sure this isn’t from a bottle?”

“I’m sure. I like to make a lot of things from scratch. I’m glad you like it.” My little sister was beaming with pride and it warmed my soul. 

“Do you want something to drink, Tate? I have red and white wine. I’m sure you’re more of a beer guy, but I don’t drink it so I don’t have any here.”

“I’ll just take a bottle of water if you have one. The girls are all into that wine stuff, but I just can’t get on board with it.”

I grab two bottles of water, handing one to Tate. “Do you need me to take anything to the table, Merc?”

“The salmon still has a couple of minutes, but the bread is ready.”

I take the warmed loaf of bread over to the table and Tate follows close behind. He looks back at Mercy in the kitchen and then over to me, I can see the wheels moving in his head so I go ahead and bring up the elephant in the room. “You can ask it if you want.”

“Ask what?”

“Why do we look so different.”

“I, what? No, I wasn’t thinking that.” I tilt my head and look at him. “Okay, I was thinking that, but I’m pretty sure it isn’t appropriate to ask.”