Summer Lovin’ (Costas Sisters #2)(20)
Author: Carly Phillips

He pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant, which faced the water and where they supposedly had an outdoor table reserved.

"I’m sure she’ll come out of her room eventually." He put the car into park and turned toward her.

Zoe sighed. "She’s not in her room, she’s at Aunt Kassie’s restaurant. Apparently, she’s locked herself in the ladies’ room and won’t come out."

Ryan tried not to laugh at Sam’s shenanigans to get Zoe to her surprise party. "Is this normal behavior for her?" he asked, playing along.

To his shock, she nodded. "It’s normal teenage, hormonal behavior. That’s why we call it stomp, stomp, slam, as in, stomp out of the room, then stomp down the hall and finally slam the door shut behind her."

"I have vague recollections of my sister acting the same way."

"So you understand why we have to head on over there?" She sounded truly disappointed and something inside him lifted with the knowledge that she really had wanted to go out on a date with him.

"Your parents can’t handle it?"

She shook her head. "Sam yelled through the closed door that she’d only talk to me."

"You think it’s a good idea to indulge her tantrums?" Although Ryan knew this particular episode was faked, he wondered how often Sam pulled such extreme stunts to get attention.

"I’ll explain on the way, okay?"

Feigning resignation, he placed the car into reverse and pulled out of the parking spot. "I need directions, though. It was enough of a challenge memorizing the way to this place from the map." He treated her to what he hoped looked like a forced smile, doing his bit for the charade.

"Make a left out of here and get back onto the Garden State ."

As he followed her directions, he listened to her insight into his niece. "We don’t indulge Sam. It’s just that we’re aware of how hard she’s had it, and we do our best to balance discipline and understanding. Sam responds best to a reaction from us that acknowledges her behavior."

"Why is that?"

"Because in her experience, if she ran away or did something wrong, the family she was living with wouldn’t report it to Social Services, not because they were being compassionate, but because they were afraid if Sam was taken away, they’d lose their monthly stipend from the state."

Her distaste for those past foster families and the system was evident in her tone. His heart squeezed tight as he acknowledged the difficult life Sam had led since her mother’s traumatic death.

"This is the exit." She pointed and he followed her directions to her aunt Kassie’s restaurant.

The teenager was fortunate she had the Costas family in her corner and no matter what happened, Ryan would never cut these people out of her life completely, he thought. He could never be that cruel.

"I really admire how well you understand what Sam has been through and what she needs now."

"I can’t take the credit. Ari’s the one with the psychology degree. She met Sam first and they just bonded."

"Sam obviously adores you, too."

Zoe grinned. "That’s because I’m the more unorthodox sister. Also, I live at home with her, at least for now."

He raised an eyebrow. "Moving somewhere?"

"I think it’s about time I got a place of my own, but I haven’t started looking yet. I need to get the business off the ground first."

"I can understand wanting to stand on your own."

"I’ve always done that," she said somewhat defensively. "I just haven’t…" She shook her head. "Whatever. Sam loves both me and Ari," she said, picking up the original thread of conversation.

Because he’d touched a nerve about her standing on her own? he wondered. He didn’t know, but he’d let her change the subject since he was equally interested in what she had to say about Sam.

"I do think it was Ari’s psych background that helped her to realize that Sam liked to test my parents. It was Sam’s way of finding out what would happen. She wanted to know that even if she misbehaved, they wouldn’t give her away."

He groaned. "She’s really had it tough." And he was determined to make it better for her.

The challenge would be in accomplishing his goal without hurting this incredible woman in the process.

* * *

THE PARKING LOT to Paradeisos was less crowded than usual, Zoe thought as she stepped out of the car. She planned on talking Sam out of her snit and the restroom and then returning to her date as soon as possible. With Ryan right behind her, she pushed through the glass doors. Her mother was waiting for her in the vestibule.

"What happened?" Zoe asked. "Did it have something to do with the pig?" She couldn’t imagine anything else that would set Sam off so badly.

"Ask her yourself." Her mother waved a hand and Zoe walked farther inside.

"Surprise!" The entire Costas clan from up and down the Jersey Shore greeted her in an excited frenzy and she stepped back in shock.

This morning, she’d attributed the fact that everyone had forgotten her birthday to the fear and commotion over the break-in. She’d called Ari and they’d wished each other a happy birthday, promising to exchange gifts during the week. Ari was supposed to be going out for dinner with Quinn tonight, while Zoe hadn’t had any special plans until Ryan had called earlier today. She didn’t believe in playing hard to get, not when she really had wanted to go out with him. And, she admitted, she hadn’t wanted to be alone on her thirtieth birthday.

Once in the car with Ryan, she’d enjoyed his company despite the sometimes serious conversation. In truth, she’d been so enticed by his cologne and swept away by thoughts of kissing him again that by the time they’d arrived at the exclusive restaurant he’d chosen, she’d put the birthday out of her mind completely. Then when her mother had called, she’d turned her focus to more important concerns, like Sam.

But she should have known she couldn’t escape a celebration. In her family, every birthday was a big event. Turning thirty was a milestone, more for Zoe than for Ari because Ari was thirty and married. Zoe was the proverbial old maid— something her relatives reminded her with every kiss on the forehead and every loving slap on the cheek, each accompanied by a birthday wish for a handsome young man.

Meddling and all, Zoe loved these people. She hugged the last of her cousins, Daphne who’d stood last in line.

"Happy big one, Zoe."

She squeezed her cousin tight. "Thanks, Daph," she said, then glanced around, looking for her twin. No way would the family throw a party for just one of them.

"Where’s Ari?" Zoe asked.