Saar
Having the list compiled, ironing out details.
Lily
This is so exciting.
I can’t believe I became your project.
Celeste
That’s not what this is.
Saar
You will have somuch fun.
Lily
You deserve to have fun.
I don’t have time for fun.
Saar
We’ll see about that.
Saar leans against the prep table in the bistro’s kitchen and puts her latte down. It’s one of those days I can’t even sit with her.
“Sometimes I envy the freedom you have,” I sigh, immediately regretting my pettiness as I shove dishes into the dishwasher.
Saar stays silent for a moment. “I know you never let us help you, so I’m not going to offer it again. Just know the offer is on the table—”
“Let me stop you right there. As shitty as it sounds, pride is one of the few things I have left.”
She lifts her arms in surrender. “Then struggle away. I only brought it up because you mentioned freedom. Only you know which one is more important to you. Freedom or pride?”
I deflate. “The fact that I have to choose sucks.”
“You can have both, but it would require some changes. You gave up your life for the family business; maybe instead of struggling to save something, you need to start reclaiming what you really want.”
I groan, closing my eyes. What do I want? That train has left the station at the speed of light. “It’s not that easy.”
“Cora, darling, I know firsthand how hard it is to redefine yourself. But I also know you can’t get there when you’re overworked, exhausted, and financially ruined.”
Saar might have grown up rich, and is now married to a man whose wealth is defined by so many zeros that I don’t even care to count them, but she is real.
She experienced a brief period of not having money or work. As a model she was overworked, so I know she speaks from experience.
But she also grew up with a pair of parents who are the worst, most selfish beings in the world. She doesn’t understand family legacy. She is close to her brothers, but they don’t need her.
My loyalty to my father runs too deep. He needs me, and caring for him—his business—is something I can’t change. I don’t want to change.
“I know.” I sigh. “Hopefully, once you unleash your dating scheme on me, I will get the wind back in my sails.”
Fuck, the idea of dating is making me tired, but I can’t change the other aspects of my life, so I’m going to let my friends help me in this one.
“I have the first two candidates lined up.Corm is strangely invested in this.” She shrugs, grinning. “But I’m saying this one last time; I can help you with the bistro, as well.”
