“I’ll see you at the fundraiser,” she says, putting the bag on her shoulder, turning, and walking away quickly with her head down. I fight back the anger that escapes me as I walk toward the elevators, giving her a head start. The last thing she is going to need is us getting in the elevator and having someone else see us together. I turn and opt to take the stairs instead of the elevators, going to see my sister.
I walk into her office and she turns from her computer screen to look at me. “I love these visits,” she says, reaching out her hands to me. I hand her the latte and the two white bags. “You ate this and then gave it to me?” She tosses it to the side. “I’ll save it for the car ride home.”
I laugh as I sit down in the chair in front of her. “What do you know about a Dr. Yoder?” I ask her and she looks out her door and then back to me.
“How do you know him?” she asks me, and I see the worry on her face.
“I’m fine,” I assure her. “Just did my physical this morning and all is good.”
She does a deep sigh. “Don’t fucking do that.”
“Do what?” I ask her.
“Start with how you know the top neurosurgeon in the world,” she hisses out, “instead of, I had my physical and I’m fine. But how do you know him?”
“Duly noted for next time to not start at the beginning.” I laugh.
“Thank you.” She takes the bottom of the muffin off and starts eating it. “Now, why do you want to know about Dr. Yoder?”
“Just wondering,” I reply and she gets up, walking over to her door and shutting it.
“Cut the bullshit with me. You have been here a little bit too often, even for you.”
“Kylie, there is no bullshit,” I try to tell her. “I just I know his wife.”
“Obviously, doesn’t her brother play hockey?”
“Yeah and practically everyone else in her family too,” I confirm. “What do you know about her husband?”
“I know he’s an asshole and you don’t want to piss him off.” She leans back in her chair. “I also know he’s not exactly a model husband.”
“What does that mean?” Even though I know exactly what it means.
“It means that he fucks pretty much anything that walks.” She shrugs. “At least that’s the gossip around the water cooler. No one has actually confirmed they fucked him, but you can see his wandering eye.” Even knowing it was coming, I wasn’t ready for her to actually say it.
“He’s such a fucking piece of shit,” I growl, shaking my head. “Has he ever tried to come on to you?”
“We don’t run in the same circles.” She laughs.
“Stay away from him,” I warn, getting up from my chair, “and keep out of his sight.” She looks up at me. “He’s not a fan of me.” She gawks. “We’ve shared a few words.”
“Kirby,” she says my name, “I have to work here.”
“Not if you take me up on my job offer,” I remind her. “Then you won’t have to worry and you can just be free.” I go to open the door. “Think about it.”
“Well, by the sound of it, I probably won’t have a job once you’re gone. It’s a good thing we don’t share the same last name.”
“Told you not to change it,” I tease.
“He adopted me when I was eight,” she snaps at me. “It’s not like I had a choice in the matter.”
“Then you’ll be safe and no one will know we’re related.” I smile at her.
“Well, I am prettier than you.” She laughs, making me laugh. “And you”—her face grimaces—“from what Angela told me, you are ugly both inside and outside.” She mentions my ex-girlfriend, who I dumped when I figured out she was a bully to Ariella.
“Yes, because you really need to listen to what she says.” I look over at her. “She also said you were a spoiled brat and I shouldn’t be paying for your car.”
“That bitch,” she retorts. “I never liked her anyway.” Now I laugh out loud. “What time are you picking me up on Saturday?”
