Read Hey Sunshine for Free Online

it to jog around to the driver side, I allowed myself a shaky breath. So far, so good.
    * * *
    By the time we got out to the Dempsey ranch, about twenty minutes outside of town, Chase and I had exhausted most of the usual small talk. Our longer conversations existed almost entirely in emails, and talking in person was a little awkward at first.
    “Did you have a chance to read those articles on New York City?”
    “You already sent those to me?”
    “A couple days ago. You said you’d read them on the flight or the bus.”
    “Oh that’s right,” he said. “Sorry, I forgot.”
    “It’s okay,” I told him reassuringly. I was a little disappointed, but I brushed it off. He’s had a lot going on and you can’t expect him to remember everything, Avery.
    We pulled up to the ranch and my stomach dropped with dread, but Chase was all smiles as he ran around to open my door and usher me up the wide porch steps. A maid greeted us at the door and a server hired for the evening offered us our choice of drinks.
    The Dempseys’ house looked the same as it had four years ago – beautiful but impersonal. We greeted a few of Chase’s family’s friends while I kept my eyes out for his parents. They spotted us from where they were deep in conversation with another older couple and immediately headed over.
    “Finally!” Janice said, a slight irritation evident in her voice. “We’ve been waiting for you.”
    “Sorry, Mom,” Chase smiled at her. “Lots of people to catch up with.”
    His father patted his back. “Glad to have you home, son. Nice to see you here as well, Avery.”
    Chase slipped his arm around me and I tried not to tense up. I felt all the eyes in the room on me, and although I was glad that I’d borrowed a nicer dress from Heather, I began to wish I’d worn something other than my boots. My outfit was fine for The Kitchen but I was underdressed for this party. I realized suddenly that the last time I’d been in their home was Chase’s graduation party four years ago, the one that they’d held the night before he left. I tried to push that thought out of my mind and I’d barely taken the first sip of my iced tea when Janice focused her sharp eyes on me.
    “Avery, tell us. When do you graduate and what are your plans?” Her mouth turned up slightly at the corners in what I’m assuming was her version of a smile.
    I cleared my throat before I became dangerously close to choking on my drink. “In May, actually. I can’t wait.” Chase squeezed my shoulder reassuringly.
    Ron Dempsey took a generous pull from his vodka rocks. “That’s great news. Congratulations!” He signaled a passing server for a refill.
    “What is your major, dear? Accounting, is it?”
    I stifled a sigh. That’s what everyone thought – that I’d get a “sensible” degree and take over the diner. “No, it’s English Literature. With an emphasis on Creative Writing and a minor in Advertising.” Was this a job interview? Avery Kent, applying for the position of being good enough for your son.
    “Your parents must be very proud. A degree in under five years. Impressive, given your… circumstances.” Janice fixed me with a knowing look.
    Circumstances? Was she referring to my child? I felt myself start to bristle. Chase sensed my attitude and hurried to fill the silence.
    “Avery wants to go to graduate school,” he blurted.
    “Graduate school?” Janice raised an eyebrow.
    “That’s the plan!” I smiled thinly. “NYU, if they’ll have me.”
    Chase patted my hand again. “You’ll get in, babe.”
    Janice watched our entire interaction with an inscrutable look on her face. “New York? With a small child? Is that… practical?” she asked.
    I was used to this question, but not from someone I was trying to win over. Why is it you need to win her over? We’re adults now, not high school kids. That little voice popped into my head again, but I ignored it.
    “I guess I’ll find out.” I tried to look