The elevator opens, and we pile in. I hit the button for my floor, and lean against the wall, watching my sister and Cassidy whisper to each other like they're teenagers again. Some things never change.
"So, what's the plan for food? I'm starving," Sully asks.
"There's a great Thai place that delivers late. We can order in. Open some wine. Catch up."
"Now you're speaking my language." Ember grins.
We arrive at my level. My eyes land on Joelle's closed door, and I shake the thoughts in my mind away. When I open the door, the girls gasp.
"I'm embarrassed to be your sister," Ember says.
"What?"
"You still haven't styled your apartment. It is a sterile, lifeless white blob."
"I don't have time."
"You better not have told your friends your sister is an interior designer. I did not decorate this disgrace of an apartment."
"It screams bachelor pad," Cassidy calls out.
"That's because it is."
"Can I please decorate your place?" Ember pleads.
"No. It's fine."
She nearly throws up. "It is not fine. You're like a frat boy who never grew up."
"Anyway, I'm going to organize dinner." I huff.
It's the same argument we have every single time she comes here.
An hour later, we're sprawled across my living room, surrounded by empty takeout containers. Pad Thai. Green curry. Spring rolls. We went overboard, but nobody's complaining.
Sully is on his third glass of wine and getting loose. Ember and Cassidy are curled up on opposite ends of the couch, with their shoes kicked off, looking more relaxed than when they arrived. It feels like old times.
"I needed this," Cassidy sighs, tilting her head back. "You have no idea."
"Work stuff?" Sully asks.
"Life stuff." She waves a hand vaguely. "Just ... everything. It's nice to get away."
Ember nods. "Same."
"So." Ember turns to me with that look I know too well. "Tell me about this secret Sully mentioned at the airport."
Shit.
"There's no secret."
"Sully said there was."
"Sully talks too much." I take a sip of my wine and glare at my friend.
"Sully is sitting right here," Sully says, raising his glass. He's definitely tipsy now. "And Sully has had just enough wine to spill some tea."
"Don't you dare," I warn him.
