So I couldn’t help my annoyance when I reached it and found someone already occupying it. I did my best to keep my face blank and was about to turn around, when the person sitting on my tree called my name.
It took me a second to recognize the voice because I hadn’t been hearing it for very long. With relief, I smiled as I walked closer. Lucas squinted up at me, one eye partially closed against the sun. “Should you be out here? Don’t redheads burn easily?” I couldn’t help the scowl. I heard that all the time, and it had gotten old about two decades ago. But then I caught the teasing glint in his eye. He was only messing with me. I let it go, and after he slid over a few inches to make room, I joined him on the tree trunk. It was at least five degrees cooler in the deep shade there.
We sa
