Jackie blows out a breath. Just as I thought. No one. Which means she doesn’t have the right to be mad at Fran. We all work in the same agency, but my sisters are completely cutthroat, even toward each other.
“Did you sign him, Fran?” I stare at my younger sister.
She nods reluctantly.
Jackie groans. “All that hard work for nothing.”
“Maybe next time share with your sister so you don’taccidentallypoach each other’s potential clients,” I advise, picking up my spoon once again.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” Jackie mumbles.
“You have to know I wouldneverdo that intentionally. I’m so sorry,” Fran says.
“Come here, sissy.”
Their overly affectionate display makes me want to gag. Do they really mean it, or do they just assume I’ll make them hug and make up like Mom always does?
My thoughts turn to Mom, who’s currently living it up somewhere in the Caribbean. She loves taking long vacations, but I’mready for her to come back to DC. I miss her. She’s the only one who listens to me.
“Val!” Fran shouts.
I startle, almost dropping the bowl. “Good grief, I’m right here. You don’t have to yell.”
“Yeah, well, you were zoned out, and she called your name a couple of times before shouting,” Jackie says. She smiles and takes a big scoop of her food.
“Sorry. I was just thinking about Mom.”
“Did you see her latest post? I think she’s in Antigua right now.”
“Oh yeah?” I need to check her socials.
“Now that the tension has cleared, let’s talk about Valentine’s Day.” Fran sing-songs the holiday, a mischievous glint entering her light brown eyes.
Ugh.Why does she have to bring that up? I can’t lie to my sisters. Yet how can I tell Jackie I went out with her ex ...unintentionally? She’ll go right back to looking like she sucked on a Cry Baby.
“It was...” I search for the right word. “Eventful.”
Both Jackie’s and Fran’s faces scrunch up.
“Eventful?” Jackie huffs. “What on earth does that mean?”
“I mean, it was a blind date, right?” Fran shrugs as if that sums everything up.
“Oh, sweetie, was it awful?” Jackie stretchers her hand across from where she sits catty-corner and lays her palm on top of my hand. “I’m so sorry.”
My mouth opens, shuts, and opens once more.Don’t lie. Justtell them the truth. Now,before you lose your nerve.
“Itwaswithhim.” My words stumble together as my heart drums in my ears.
“Who?” Fran raises her brows.
“What did she say?” Jackie asks at the same time.
“She said ‘it was with him,’ but who is him?”
I drop my head into my hands and let out a sigh. “Raimo set me up withhim.” My head pops up to give a pointed look at Jackie.
Fran gasps. “Thathim?”
