“You’re in your music studio, aren’t you?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I snap.
“I can tell when you’re working on music lately. You’re tense.”
“Gee, thanks.”
It’s not like she’s saying something I don’t already know. But she had to point it out?
“You know, Ev, if the label is pressuring you in any sort of way, I can look into your contract.”
I don’t need my sister meddling in my career.
“Thanks, but no. I should go though.”
“Okay, well, if you need any help with Quinn?—”
“Em, I’ve got it,” I bark.
Had it, before you went and stole my nanny anyway.
She sighs. “When did we stop relying on each other for things?”
Probably when my problems became a burden to your social life, I want to say but don’t. That was a long time ago. We aren’t kids anymore.
“I’ll call you tomorrow?” she finally offers. As if we’ll be ready to have this conversation by then. Something I highly doubt is true after we’ve managed to dodge it for years. But I want her off the phone, so I agree.
By the time she hangs up, the email from the speech place hits my inbox. The document opens in Adobe Reader. I itch the skin on the back of my hand, reading over the section asking for guardian contact information. The spot I’m tearing into becomes a full welted rash by the time I reach the family history section.
Cursive letters readconfidentialacross the bottom. Sure as hell better be as I check the tiny box that feels like a confession of something I haven’t had to admit to anyone in a very long time.
I hope I’m not making the biggest mistake.
Summer shows up to preschool drop-off on Tuesday in the brightest red dress I’ve ever seen. There’s not a single person in my sister’s office that won’t notice how much it hugs every curve on her body. That fact wouldn’t bug me if it weren’t for everything I know about the head of the firm. I’ve seen Jason Ford’s wandering eye despite the gold band on his ring finger.
She hasn’t been a minute late since that first day I ran into her a week ago, but she might be to Emma’s with the way she’s attempting to run across the parking lot in a pair of stilettos. I’m going to guess this is one of her first times wearing them. Her ankles are rocking to keep herself upright. I really wish I didn’t have to talk to her looking like that, but I need to have this conversation.
“You have legal assistant background?” I ask as we meet on the pavement.
“And you have a close relationship with your sister,” she replies. An assumption that’s not entirely accurate as of late, but I nod anyway.
I’m not surprised my sister hired Summer on the spot. She makes it difficult not to like her. But now I’m left feeling guilty for even considering what I’m about to do next.
“If you’re worried about me infiltrating your personal life, don’t be. I had no idea it was your sister’s law practice until it was too late,” she justifies.
“I need some help with Quinn,” I rush out.
She pauses. A smirk tugs at the corner of her mouth. My eyes decide to stray way too long on that corner before I scold myself and stuff my hands in my pockets.
She folds her arms. “Wait a minute… is Rhett Dawson asking me for help?”
I grind my molars. Of course she’s going to make this as difficult on me as possible. If I have to spell it out for her, she’s only going to get a one-word answer from me.
“Yes.”
She shrugs. “I’m sorry. I’m already taken.” Then she turns away from me. I grab her wrist before she can get any further and twist her around. Her eyes snap to where I’m touching her, the pressure on her skin softening with the ease of my fingertips. I should let go, but I don’t.
“Whatever she offered, I’ll pay you double.”
