“I’m not sure that Phillip wants to host a party every quarter…” I begin.
“What Phillip wants and what Phillip needs are two different things,” Elsa says in a sharp tone. “How do you think Matt’s paper got accepted to the Journal so quickly last year? We invited the best over—remember the party you and Phillip attended at our home?”
Yes, and I remember wanting to run screaming from it. Everyone standing around in suits and holding napkins filled with crab cakes. Nobody dared to sit down for two hours. Phillip stood by the fireplace with Annabeth Franklin for ninety minutes while she rambled on about her latest research. I texted Sophia from the bathroom twice.
I look away from Elsa and nod quickly.
“It went perfectly,” she says. “A lovely gathering. You should plan the same, Leleila. It will help take the pressure off Phillip’s shoulders.”
“With all due respect, Elsa,” I say politely. “Phillip is brilliant. He doesn’t need to host social gatherings to continue his career success. I mean he’s already an author on a number of papers.”
“But not on a book,” Elsa says. “He would just kill to get a book out there, I imagine. Am I right?”
I frown and don’t answer her. I know Phillip wants a published book, but I figured that was a few years away.
“You and I both know every research scientist wants to publish as much as possible, as frequently as possible,” Elsa continues. “Phillip is no different. And he needs your help. The spouse is invaluable, my dear. And since you don’t have a doctorate yourself, there’s really no excuse…”
She trails off purposely here and leaves for the bathroom, taking with her any trace of happiness I still had with me tonight.
“Who wants more wine?” I say as I bounce up from the couch.
I discover we don’t have that third bottle of wine I was sure we had.
Seeing as I’m the only one here who’s sober, I tell Phillip I’ll be back in thirty, and I jump in the car.
When I reach June’s store, I exhale.
June’s working the register again, and I surprise her when I jog over to the counter, hair flying out behind me because I never took the time to pull it back.
“You look eager,” she says. “But he’s not here. I like your outfit, though.”
I glance down at my long, white skirt and ribbed blue top. “Thanks. This is my professor party attire, I guess. And I’m not here to see anybody.”
“Uh-huh. Sure you’re not.”
I stick my tongue out at her. “I’m grabbing more wine. Apparently Phillip’s department is filled with lushes.”
“Not a shock. They’re probably so bored with themselves they need to drink to numb their brains.” She narrows her eyes and cocks her head as she appraises me. “What’s going on?”
I take her by the arm and hustle her into her office where I shut and lock the door behind us.
“I have a question. I know you don’t like the women flirting with Phillip, but you hated him long before that. How come? You two seem so alike—both brilliant, anal-retentive, successful.”
June grumbles something I can’t hear and takes a seat on her desk. I stand before her, not sure why I’m here or what I’m looking for from my younger sister, but wanting to feel better than I’m feeling right now.
“Somehow I don’t think you’re only here about Phillip,” she says. “What’s happening with Brayden?”
“Nothing.” I look away from her. “But he’s super nice. We have fun together.”
“You guys are friends?” she asks me.
“He’s like the best guy friend I’ve ever had.” I sigh. “It’s just…”
“You’re engaged.” She puts her elbows on her knees and rests her chin in her hands.
“Brayden and I are just friends. Nothing’s happened.”
June narrows her eyes at me. “Why do I have the feeling you’re not telling me everything?”
