“Come in,” a muffled voice calls through the door, and Oliver pushes it open. The fragrance that hits my nose as the door opens is pure Jacinta. I remember Hope telling me it’s her own signature perfume that some designer had made her. Her eyes widen slightly as the three of us step into her room, and I can certainly imagine why. Both boys are still in only pajama pants, and then here’s me wrapped in a towel. Oh well, she’s going to have to get used to it if we’re going to do this relationship thing. Maybe they need to have a talk with her too after they’ve talked to Dad. Make sure that I’m not on the receiving end of her vengeance again.
Before any of us can say something, she registers the towel wrapped around me. “Oh, Harlow, you haven't got anything to wear. I’m sorry.” She somehow extricates me from Holden’s arm and drags me in the direction of what must be her closet. My mouth drops open when the automatic light comes on as we enter, this space even more strongly filled with her signature scent.
Holy shit!In front of me is a wardrobe to rival the one at Neighpalm Couture. My wide eyes track Jacinta’s movement to pick up a remote, and with the click of a button, the racks start to whirl. I’m too scared to blink as clothes rush past, afraid I might miss something.
“I forgot all about it last night, so I meant to bring you something to wear this morning. Dad had Cecelia go and buy you some clothes to replace what you lost. She was going to use the helicopter to bring them out here last night and then stay over, but I put a stop to that.” We exchange a conspiratorial glance. At least we’re on the same page concerning Cecelia. There’s just something about her that rubs me the wrong way.
“I told them you could just borrow mine until it was time for your flight. She can meet you at the airport to give them to you. Anyway, take your pick...” She waves at the mountain of clothes in front of us, but I’m still frozen in a bit of shock, albeit for a different reason now. Who is this person? I mean, I know we called somewhat of a truce last night, but wow.
“If I know Kai, he’ll be on the go all the time. Grab a pair of shorts and a cami again. I haven’t got a bra that will fit you because your boobs are bigger than mine, but there are a few with built-in shelf bras that’ll be tight enough to hold you in.” She opens a nearby drawer and pulls out a brand new five-pack of panties. “Here. I’m not sure if Dad will have remembered to ask her to get you some, and she’s just spiteful enough to ‘forget,’ so take these in case.”
With another click of the remote, this time aimed at a blank wall, it starts rotating. Racks of shoes are lined up according to what looks like style. She goes over and pulls out a pair of flip flops. “Not sure what shoe size you need, but this should keep you going until you stop somewhere to buy a pair.” She holds out a black pair with a couple of crystals in the straps. As I go to grab them, she snatches up my hand with her free one. Not expecting the contact, I look up, and when I meet her eyes, the lightness from before has gone, replaced with something I recognize all too well—guilt.
“I just wanted to say to you again that I was wrong, and for what it’s worth, I am so sorry. If I could wind back time and stop it, I would, and it’s not because I’ve been well and truly spanked by Nana and Dad. It’s because you saved the one being who has loved me unconditionally. Why would you do that if you were some self-serving bitch? Holding back or “accidentally” messing up would’ve been the perfect way for you to repay me for the billboard and for humiliating you.” She lets go and turns around, but not before I see a tear drip down her face. “I know I started to tell you some of this earlier, but I have to get it all out. Don’t get me wrong, I know my family loves me, and I am so very thankful for that, but Prada, well, she doesn’t know or care that I’m a fuck-up. She doesn't judge or look disappointed or anything, and she listens. I tell her everything, things I don't want to talk to my brothers about, and she relies on me. Well, and Josh, but as long as I’m here, I feed her and brush and care for her. She needs me as much as I need her, and to be honest, I don't think my family is the same. None of them need me. I’m just the one they need to take care of, and I hate being a burden. Maybe… you and I can figure out some ways that we could possibly need each other? I’ve never had a sister before.”
And there it is. It’s like looking in a mirror. Both of us given up without a fight by mothers who didn't give enough of a shit to even stick around long enough to teach us how to be loved. To teach us that we are worthy of love and that there are going to be people in our lives that we can rely on and trust to do just that.
When she turns back to face me, tears are streaming down her face, and I let go of that last lingering bit of doubt and resentment. Something settles inside me as I decide that Prada is not going to be the only one that needs Jacinta. I’m going to make sure that she knows I need her too.Fuck it. I guess I’m going all in here.
I step forward and put my arms out, needing her to make the final step so I know this is really what she wants. And with a hitched breath, she does. Before I know it, we're both sobbing in each other's arms.
“Hey, what are you girls doing in here?” Oliver calls out, his voice coming closer. Poor bastard doesn’t know what he’s about to step into. “We need to—Oh fuck. Is everything okay here?” he asks very carefully, making me snort. My snort sets off Jacinta, and the tears turn into uncontrollable giggles.We’re lost in this strange mix of gasping giggles that nearly knock us off our feet, and we need to hold each other up, each of us clutching at my towel to keep it in place. Thank god it’s so big.
“What the fuck?” Oliver swears in confusion.
When I get myself under control, I can finally spare a moment to check in on him. He’s frozen in place, wearing the most adorable scrunched up expression that has me bursting into laughter again. Eventually, we get ourselves under control.
“It’s okay, Oliver. Why don't you help Holden down to breakfast? Jacinta and I’ll be there in a minute.”
Still wearing that tentative male look that says he thinks we’ve lost our minds, he disappears.Once the bedroom door closes, I drop my towel and pull my clothes on. Jacinta's eyebrows raise in surprise, but she smirks once she’s recovered.
“Not shy, are you?”
“Nope, I’m really not, but I also figure we’re going to be sisters. Isn't that the kind of shit sisters do? I’ve only had Max for practice, but I feel like you’re going to be a whole different story.”
“Who the fuck knows? I’ve only had pain in the ass brothers. I guess we’ll have to learn together.”
And as far as learning together, I guess a good place to start is with transparency. I feel like if we’re going to go forward and grow and develop a relationship, I need to clue her in on my feelings for her brothers. I don't want to get her back up if she finds out from someone else or walks in on something. I don't think the family would survive that kind of implosion.
“Speaking of your pain in the ass brothers... in honor of our new sisterly relationship.” I stop and grab a hair brush off of a cabinet in the middle of the room and start to pull it through the tangles of my hair. “Just so we have full disclosure, I think I’m going to try some kind of relationship with them.”
Her mouth drops open at my candor. “Oh yeah, which one?” she asks, playing along with an impressively calm demeanor.
“Probably at least four of them, possibly five, and to be honest, I’m not a hundred percent sure on the sixth.”
“Thomas the hold out?” she asks, crossing her arms, and this time it’s my turn for my eyebrows to jump in surprise. Not the reaction I was expecting, but okay.
“Yeah, actually,” I admit, returning the brush and stealing a band to pull my hair up into my favorite messy bun.
“Yeah, he’s pretty messed up from the ex, but I have faith in you.”
“So you don't care? I’m going to be a straight shooter with you here. I’m being sincere when I say that I think you and I can become sisters to each other. You put me through hell, I’m not going to sugarcoat that to spare you any guilty feelings, but I’ve been learning a lot about this family and what brought you all together, and I think that I can rise above our past. In order to do that, I need to know, sincerely and without anything held back, do you have any lingering issues with me being a part of this family in whatever way it all pans out?” I lean against the cabinet and finally hold her eyes. I'd been avoiding it, but I can’t if I want to be genuine. This moment between usneedsto be real if Jacinta and I are going to have a future, if I’m going to risk giving her a piece of my heart and letting her in to really become a sister to me.
“If you are serious and don’t play one against the other and they are all aware of the situation, then who am I to stop you? God knows they’ve made horrendous choices in the past, but maybe, just maybe, this time they may be making the right one. I appreciate you checking in with me first, but I don't control my brothers.” Hmm, I beg to differ on that one, but hey, I don't want to argue, so I let it go.
“If they want this like I’m starting to think they do, nothing I could have said or done would have stopped them, but I promise I’ll play nice if any of them talk to me about it. The holdouts are probably worried I’ll freak out and plan another billboard if they get too close to you.” Grabbing my hand, she drags me out of the wardrobe. “Come on, let's get breakfast. You’ve got a long weekend ahead, and I’m sure Kai’s freaking out and thinking you’ve decided to cancel on him. He’s surprisingly vulnerable, that one.'' She stops with a cheeky grin on her face. “But make sure you make Jaxon work for it, as a favor for me. Stupid boy always has women throwing themselves at his feet, and I’d like to see him grovel, even just a little bit.”
With a laugh, she pulls open the door and drags me downstairs, but a cracked door and Declan’s deep voice have me stopping. “You go ahead. I just want to check on the kitten before I leave,” I tell her, and she smiles before disappearing down the stairs and leaving me behind. Now it’s my turn to get a little payback. A smile on my face, I barge into his bedroom.
