She wrinkled her nose. “Did you throw out all your clothes?”
“I did,” I said, pulling a face. “I couldn’t find anything to wear.”
Millie sat and crossed her legs. Her gaze roamed over the strewn clothes before settling on me lying on top of it.
“Auntie Izzy can help. She always looks pretty.”
Rolling to my side, I pushed onto my elbow. “You know what? You’re absolutely right. I’ll give her a call and see if she can come by a bit earlier.”
That big smile that never failed to light up my day spread across Millie’s face. And, as usual, there was a tinge of sadness in that warm, fuzzy feeling.
“You’re so beautiful. Like your mom.” I made certain to always point it out. Not only because it was the truth, but I never wanted Millie to forget Clara. She was so young when her mom died, I knew the memories she had would fade.
Unless I kept them alive.
Some days were easier than others. There were times she’d cry and cry, not fully understanding why her mom couldn’t come back. Then there were other times, like now, where her lip would tremble, and she’d whisper, “I miss her.”
Scooping her up, I held her tight against my chest. “So do I, Bug. So do I.”
I hugged her for a few more moments longer then asked, “Wanna have a dance party before I call Izzy?”
She was nodding before the last word left my mouth. Hurrying to the living room—because Millie had to see the music videos and not only hear the songs—we pulled up our favorite dance playlist and jumped around.
We’d made it through five songs before I phoned my sister. Then six more while we waited for her to get there.
It might not have been the best idea considering I’d had to take another shower before getting dressed. But I didn’t care. Millie’s loud peals of laughter and the smile stuck on her face made it worth it.
“Okay, from the top this time,” Izzy said when we sauntered into my room. “But go slow because I still don’t understand what the heck is going on.”
Sigh one hundred and one blew over my lips. “What exactly don’t you understand? The part where I’m going to dinner or the fact that I’m going with Tristan.”
“Yeah, it’s definitely the last one.”
This was the first time I’d lied to my sister about something big. I hated it. But I didn’t want to risk the truth coming out.
Parking my hands on my hips, I leveled her with a stare. “And why is that?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” She narrowed her eyes. “Maybe because he shoves his dick into anything with a pulse.”
“Language,” I hissed. Inching forward, I lowered my voice, “A little judgy, don’t you think?”
Izzy shook her head but didn’t speak. Instead, she stared at the carpet as if it held the answers to the world’s questions. When her gaze finally met mine, my poor heart felt like it’d been sliced in two.
“I’m sorry,” she started. “I don’t want to meddle. Your life is yours, and you should live it however you want to. I just...” She shook her head and closed the distance between us to take my hands. “I still remember how long it took you to pick up the pieces after Bryce... I don’t want to see you go through that again.”
Guilt gnawed at my insides. “I won’t.”Because this isn’t a real relationship. “I promise. I have both eyes open. Besides, unless you’re planning to pull what Eleanor did, I think I’ll be okay.”
“Don’t even joke about that. I would never—”
“I know.” Tugging my hands free from hers, I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and hugged her tight. “I love you, Iz. You’re not only my sister, you’re my best friend.”
She sniffled into my shoulder. “Love you too.”
“All right, enough mushiness for now. You need to make me fabulous.”
Ninety minutes later, I stood in front of my wall-length mirror trying my hardest to pick up my jaw off the floor.
“Wow,” I said for the fourth time in a row. “You’re a freaking miracle worker.”
