“And Lorenzo,” Harlow added.
“Yep. Him, too.”
Harlow waited. Winnie said nothing. Harlow waited some more. She did this with all of her siblings, Winnie thought. Jedi mind tricks. That kind, lovely face, her gentle brown eyes.
“So you like him,” Harlow said.
“Sure. He’s easy to work for.”
“Really? That’s not his reputation.”
“I’m not a doctor or a nurse. He’s nicer to me.” She felt her cheeks flush and figured she could blame it on the running.
“That’s good to hear.” Harlow smiled and gestured for Winnie to sit in the other chair.
“We slept together. One time.” Damn those Jedi mind tricks.
“And?”
“Just…I don’t know. It was surprising.”
“In a good way?”
“In a very good way. But it was a mistake. I mean, he’s my boss. We have nothing in common.”
“Really? You sure?”
Winnie sighed. “I don’t know. I…” She looked around and closed the office door with one foot. “I’ve been thinking about it a lot.”
Harlow smiled. “Sure. You take that kind of thing very seriously.”
“Yeah. I mean, we agreed it was a horrible idea. But in the moment, it was kind of…you know.”
“Amazing?”
“Yes. Shit, Harlow. You should work as an interrogator for the FBI.” Her sister laughed. “Anyway…never mind. It’s a cut-and-dried case. Don’t sleep with the boss. Sorry. I’m wasting your time.”
“No, you’re not! You’re my baby sister. My favorite. Don’t tell the twins.” She settled into her chair. “Listen, honey. That chef hurt you. You believed him, and he was a great liar. My guess is that he’s very practiced in that area. It doesn’t mean every relationship is going to break your heart.”
“My heart is not in play,” Winnie said.
“Mm-hm. Well, if it does come into play, keep that in mind. Sometimes relationships do work out. Sometimes they’re pretty fantastic.”
“Like you and Grady.”
“Yep. And Lark and Dante. Mom and Dad. Destiny and Kate. Robbie and Rosie. Cynthia and Bertie.”
“Now you’re just depressing me.” She took a deep breath, then exhaled. “It’s not awful to stay single, is it?”
“Not if that’s what you want.”
“I’ve always been kind of a solo act.”
“As much as someone with four siblings can be, sure. Doesn’t mean that’s carved in granite, though.”
There had been a minute that night in San Francisco, somewhere in the wee hours after round two, where her head lay on Lorenzo’s chest, and his hand had trailed through her hair. It had felt so…perfect. No real thoughts, just the sensation of this feels right.
But she’d had that sensation before. And both she and Lorenzo had almost immediately cut things off. Even if she had agreed, he thought it was a mistake. Best to kill any nascent thoughts of what-if.
