“That I’m in Vegas.”
“Are you?” He pressed his hand to his chest. “I had no idea. Remember earlier? I asked you where you were in the world. I had no idea you were in my favorite city.”
“Bullshit. Spill, Wreck-It Ralph.” She registered his flicker of anger and was only partly ashamed that it made her happy.
“I messed uponetime,” he said. “I’m looking forward to you being menopausal, and then maybe you’ll finally forget that.”
“Ouch. You shouldn’t wish menopause on your worst enemy, brother.” Taryn reached for the room’s remote control and opened the blinds. She smiled when they cracked open to reveal a bright blue sky. Sunlight streamed in, and she stretched out, feeling like a solar panel ready to recharge. Four hours’ sleep was more than enough, and she and Andi had the biggest show of their lives to plan. She didn’t have time to lose. But she never did. Who wanted to waste days like today lying in bed alone?
“Can you get me a room for the week in your slick new hotel or not?”
She swung her attention back to him. “Not until you tell me who your spy is.”
He frowned and held up his phone. “I don’t need a spy. You’re all over ZimTak.”
Damn Banjo. She always had that phone in her hand, sticking it in everyone’s face, too busy capturing the moment to actuallybein the moment. “The show’s already been announced?”
“No. It’s mainly been teasers. ‘Big news coming soon,’ and all that guff. But I recognized the new hotel. I’ve been wanting to stay there since it was announced.”
“Mom and Dad are letting you have a full week’s vacation? Is the business faltering?” Taryn didn’t want to be a part of it, but that didn’t mean she wanted them to fail.
“Far from it. We’ve never been busier.” He shrugged. “The twins and Gary are like Mom and Dad, as you know; they’re workaholics. But all work and no play would make my life too gray. I’m taking the whole family’s vacation time this year.”
“Okay. I’ll see what I can do, but no promises.”
“You’re a superstar, sis. I’ll call you when I’m at the airport.” He winked and hung up.
Taryn smiled. Of all her siblings, Ralph was the one she could bear spending the most time with. Gary and the twins were carbon copies of their parents in more than just their attitude to the work, but Ralph was the youngest, so he’d been allowed a little more freedom to color outside the lines. They’d even let him have a gap year to travel the world before starting college. She suspected it was because they didn’t want him following in her footsteps and leaving the family business altogether, and that they hoped he’d get it out of his system before knuckling down to find his way in the family business. So far, their plan had worked.
Taryn got up and pulled on some sweatpants before heading into the living room. The sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and Andi lay flat on her back on the chaise longue, clearly enjoying the heat. “You look like a cat sunning itself.”
“I’m quietly roasting.” Andi pushed up on her elbows and looked at Taryn. “Everything okay?”
Taryn wagged her finger. “Oh no, you’re not avoiding the inquisition any longer.” She pushed Andi’s legs off the weirdly uncomfortable piece of furniture and sat down on its edge. “You dragged everyone out last night because you knew I wanted to talk, but there’s no more escaping.”
Andi blew out a breath and flopped back onto the couch. “Fine,Mom. What do you want to talk about?”
Taryn punched Andi’s thigh. “You know exactly what I want to talk about: the real reason you’re making the team stay in one place for a six-month residency.”
“The teamseems happy about this little adventure.” Andi looked at her leg but didn’t rub it. “Seems to meyou’rethe only one unhappy about this gig.”
She shrugged. “Sure. Everyone’s happy with the remuneration package, especially the health insurance. Chaney’s already been to the specialist for dodgy—”
“See? I even got Bernice to include pre-existing conditions.”
“And that’s great,” Taryn said. “But you should’ve told me the real reason you brought us all here.”
Andi pushed up to a sitting position and looked out at the Strip. “And what’s the real reason, Columbo?”
“You’re showing your age with that reference. And I’d never be seen dead in a rumpled raincoat.”
Andi laughed, but she didn’t make eye contact. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to form a comprehensive picture: Andi was feeling old. “The other night, you said you were thinking of finding your ideal pillion passenger. I think that you’ve already identified who that might be, andthat’swhy we’re here. Bernice.” Taryn held up her finger when Andi opened her mouth to speak. “Who, incidentally, I totally approve of. She’s perfect for you.”
Andi swung around to face Taryn and gave a half sneer. “Seemed like you thought she was perfect for you yesterday.”
Taryn chuckled. “I was just fucking with you, because you’ve fucked with me.” She gave Andi a heavy shove. “I thought we were in this together. Why didn’t you tell me what was going on in your head?”
Andi rubbed her chin. “Because I’m not sure what’s going on in there myself. A lot’s been happening lately, and it feels like I haven’t had time to think—really think—about any of it. We’re always in motion: doing a show, planning a show, or thinking about a new stunt.”
