“What do you want?” I asked, huffing out as much irritation into my voice as possible.
“To talk.”
“That’s funny. In the jail, all you did was accuse me.”
“Josie—”
“She sold my car, Sawyer. She didn’t even ask!”
“And I’ve talked to her. She knows it was wrong.”
“She’s twice as old as us. She shouldn’t have to be told it was wrong like a toddler,” I retorted.
“You’re my baby sister,” he grinned. “She just wants you safe.”
I burst out in a bark of laughter. “You know, that would almost be funny if I didn’t already know that pigs can’t fly.”
“Josie,” he sighed, taking my hand.
I really didn’t want to talk to him. All I wanted was to leave, but we were going to have to hash this out at some point.
“Sit. Talk with me.”
“Fine.”
It took everything in me to take a seat without throwing a tantrum, but I wasn’t about to be accused of being just as childish as the woman he was seeing.
“I really love this woman, Josie. Now, I know this is hard on you. For whatever reason, you don’t like her, and you haven’t since she walked into the house.”
“Because she’s twice our age.”
“And that really matters?” he questioned. “If you met a man twice your age, you would call him distinguished and knowledgeable.”
“That’s debatable.”
“You know it’s true. You haven’t even taken the time to get to know her.”
Because I didn’t want to. The idea of seeing this woman every day was nauseating. And I didn’t like what she was doing to my brother. Which, so far, was just making him happy. Very happy.
“Okay, I’ll get to know her.”
“Thank you,” he smiled sincerely.
“But I can’t guarantee I’ll like her.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to. All I ask is that you try.”
It really grated on me to even consider talking to the woman. Just the sight of her set my teeth on edge, but for my brother, I could do this. Besides, it was good to see him happy again.
“Thanks, sis.”
“Anything for you. Hey, at least you’re not moping around the house anymore.”
He slugged me in the arm and jumped to his feet. “Alright, I have to get to work for my shift. And you…” he said expectantly.
“I will invite her out to lunch.”
“Perfect.”
