She chews her lip, looking very worried. “You’re okay though? Seriously, if you’re in a bad position, we can fix it. I’m here for you.”
I get up and move over to the bed. I take her hand in mine and hold it tightly. “I’m good. Honestly. We’re going to be good. You just have to trust me. I’ve done a lot to keep us above water since Mom ran off, right?”
“Too much. You know how bad I feel about it.”
“You don’t have to feel bad. You just have to keep trusting that I’m doing what’s best for both of us. Okay?”
She takes a deep breath. It’s obvious she’s still not convinced, but she finally nods. “I trust you. And I love you.”
“I love you too, little Gemmy.” I pull her in for a hug and hold her tight. I have to keep reminding myself that I’m doing this for her. All of this is for her. My smart, amazing, genius little sister. She’s going to be something. I can chain myself to a terrifying mobster if that means her future’s even slightly brighter.
When Gem pulls back, she’s grinning.
“What?” I ask, stomach sinking.
“He’s really hot.” Her grin gets bigger. “Like, really, really hot.”
“Stop. Gross. Please. I don’t want to hear that my little sister is attracted to my future husband.”
“Hard not to be. You’ve seen the guy.”
She makes a very good point. I push her away and she cackles evilly.
“Please don’t ever say that again, okay?”
“Promise I won’t. Honestly, this is really weird and I’m worried, but I can trust you.”
“That means a lot.”
“But if that guy becomes a problem—” She slowly pulls her thumb across her throat. “I’ll whack him.”
I laugh lightly and plaster a smile on my face. “I bet you will.”
“Can I meet him? Before you guys move forward?”
“Absolutely, yes.”
“Let’s have him over for dinner!”
“I mean?—”
“Oh, it’ll be great. I’ll cook!”
“I don’t?—”
“Tell him to clear his schedule on Saturday night.”
I tug at my hair nervously. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Wonderful. Can’t wait.” She picks up her books again. “Now, I have a nasty calc test tomorrow.”
“You still have tests?”
“Shocking, I know.”
I leave her room, feeling like my stomach’s sinking into my toes. I shoot Stellan a quick text.Dinner at my place Saturday?
And he responds immediately:I’ll see you then, wife.
