“Are you okay?” I ask, realising Kat is behaving very out of character.
My sister is a straight talker but not usually this snappy.
I hear Kat inhale.
“Sorry. It’s been a long day. Shit is going down in one of our hotels. Actually, multiple hotels, and I’ve spent all day firefighting. That and like you, I’m worried about Pen.”
“I’m sorry, Kat,” I say, realising what a selfish prick I’ve been. “Is there anything I can do?” I ask.
My sister works even harder than I do, and that’s saying something. We’re both driven by that same internal force to succeed. As the oldest siblings, we’ve taken our parents’ work ethic to heart. Not that our younger siblings haven’t, but in recent years, they’ve gained the perfect work-life balance.
“No, I’ve got this.”
And I know she does.
“Just remember I’m here if you ever need me.”
“Thank you.” Kat pauses. “Elijah. If you speak to Pen. Don’t push her. She’s been back a few weeks. She’s trying to get back on her feet.”
“She’s what?”
“Oh shit.”
I can imagine Kat pressing her temples, wishing she’d stayed quiet.
“Look, she wanted to keep it quiet. They both did.”
“The man must be an idiot,” I hiss under my breath.
My sister lets out a frustrated grunt.
“Typical! How do you know it wasn’t Pen who walked away? Why do you assume it was Kris?”
Hope blossoms in my chest, and my heart rate picks up.
“I didn’t.” I run a hand down my face. “It’s not that. It’s just when we were talking she had everything planned out. Her entire future was mapped out in a way only Pen does.” I pause. My heart sinks. For Pen to have changed her mind, and that quickly, something must have happened.
“Is she okay? Damn it, Kat. Please.”
A sense of dread overwhelms me.
Kat sighs again.
“I just want to know she’s okay.”
“Why? Why do you want to know if she’s okay?” Kat presses.
I run a hand through my hair.
“She was my friend. I care about her. If she’s hurting?—”
“Pen has a lot of friends who are there for her.”
Kat’s words make me smart.
“I know she does,” I mumble.
“So why do you care?” Kat presses.
