I can hear her moving around in her room. She opens the door and goes into the bathroom. I try not to think about how close she is. It would be so easy to just get up, walk down the hall, knock on her door.
I already know it's impossible.
I lie awake for hours before exhaustion finally drags me under.
Chapter Thirteen
Scout
"I'm so glad you moved back to Seattle," I say while video chatting with my sister. "Living in Vancouver is cool, but living where I can actually hug you whenever I want is way better."
Sable has her phone propped on her desk so I can see her whole face. She's dressed for work in a cream sweater and tweed pencil skirt because she's a sports psychologist who actually has her life together.
Unlike some of us.
My big sister laughs. "The two Nash girls, back at it. We should plan a night out soon. Paint the whole town vermillion."
"As long as we stick to wine. Last time there were a lot of tequila shots. If I remember correctly, you puked behind a dumpster."
She feigns shock. "Would you rather I puked in the Uber? I was being responsible."
"Yeah, sure." I grin. "The last two rounds were your idea, Miss Thing. You were so busy flirting with those guys at the next table that I had to drag you home. You were a mess."
Sable snorts. "I was gorgeous."
I can't argue with that. Of the two of us, Sable has always been the homecoming queen. She's insanely pretty. Where my curls frizz at the first sign of humidity, hers fall in perfect spirals. Her blue eyes are sharp and intense. Even when she's not trying, she looks like magazine cover material.
I'm sunshine. Sable is firelight. Controlled, smoldering, impossible to ignore.
She's just back from Venice with her latestthis is definitely the oneboyfriend. I've been through this about fifteen times in ten years, so I just nod while she describes the trip. The city, the canals, the food, the architecture.
I listen while pinning my curls back and debating earrings.
"How's Josh?" I ask, leaning closer to apply mascara without stabbing myself in the eye.
"Oh." Sable sighs dramatically. "He dumped me. Apparently I’m too intense." She waves it off. "His loss. I love love, you know? Someday I'll find my Prince Charming. There's actually this cute guy at my coffee shop I'm going to ask out next week."
I make sympathetic sounds while changing into a soft dress. Nothing fancy, but nicer than my usual yoga pants and staff polo. The fabric actually shows that I have a shape under all the errands and coffee runs.
Sable notices mid-sentence. Her eyes widen. "Wait. Are you dressed up? What's going on?"
Heat climbs my cheeks. "Community skating event. It’s just for work."
Sable leans closer, practically vibrating. "Just work? Scout, you're blushing. Is there something happening with the hockey player you're living with?"
I shut it down fast. "No. God, no. It's complicated. We're just roommates. Temporarily."
Her shoulders drop. "Sorry. I get so excited about relationship prospects, even if they're not mine." She looks wistful, vulnerable in a way Sable rarely shows. "I just want someone to stick around, you know?"
The admission makes my chest ache. We're not so different. Both chasing something we can't name. Both terrified of ending up alone. Growing up watching our father shatter after Mom's death really did a number on us.
"I know, Sabe." I glance at the time and panic. "Oh, shit. I have to go. But let's hang out soon, okay? I miss you."
"Miss you too, Girl Scout." Sable blows a kiss and the screen goes dark.
I check myself in the mirror. The dress is simple and modest, but it makes me feel pretty. Like maybe I'm more than just the smoothie-making, data-tracking girl who disappears into the background.
I grab my coat and head downstairs.
