Oh, no. “Laylee?”
Sniffling, her sister blinked fast, muttered, “Sorry,” and started to dart away.
“Wait.”
Lifting a hand, Laylee sailed past. “You’re in a hurry. I didn’t mean to get in your way.”
Watching her duck into the spare bedroom—a room she now considered Laylee’s—Skye came to a decision. She had tenminutes before she needed to go to work. She had planned to grab a bite to eat, but that could wait. Laylee needed her.
Moving to the closed bedroom door, she knocked softly, turned the knob, and stepped in. Laylee sat on the side of the bed, her posture dejected.
“Sorry.” Swiping at her face, likely removing tears, Laylee said, “I’m fine, I swear. I know you’re in a rush, and I promise nothing is wrong.” She forced a grin that looked somewhat sickly. “It’s just me being me. You know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t.” Never before had Laylee held back. Usually, she bombarded Skye with everything she felt, did, or wanted. Of course, Skye had been so busy in the last couple of weeks, she and Laylee had barely talked lately.
That wasn’t fair to her sister.
Sitting beside Laylee, Skye took her hand. It was still damp with tears, and that made Skye a little teary-eyed, too.
Suddenly, Laylee turned and hugged her. Voice choked, she whispered, “I really, really am sorry. You’ve got enough on your plate without me adding to it.”
“You’re my sister.” For Skye, it was as simple as that. “If you hurt, I hurt.”
Issuing a watery laugh, Laylee released her and reached for a clean tissue on the nightstand. “I don’t want that.” She mopped at her face, then sighed. “I’m such a wuss. About everything.”
“Not true, but if you want to tell me the particular thing that has you upset right now, I might be able to help.”
“I canceled the lease on my apartment.”
Unprepared for that bombshell, Skye asked, “When did that happen?”
“Yesterday, I drove over to my place to get a few more things. My big, bold plan was to ignore Marta if I saw her. I swear, Skye, I felt all righteous and ready to face her down.”
Skye stroked Laylee’s hair. “But?”
“He was there with her.”
Wincing for her sister, Skye asked, “Your ex?”
She nodded. “Just as I was going into my apartment, they were coming out of Marta’s. Laughing, kissing.” Laylee fell back on the bed, her forearm over her eyes. “They were happy.”
Stretching out beside her, Skye stared at the ceiling. “That had to be awful.” She imagined how she’d feel if that happened with Ford, and she knew she’d be in the same shape. “I’m sorry.”
Lowering her arm, Laylee turned to face Skye. “I had hoped I’d be a help to you, but I haven’t been.”
“That’s not true.” Skye also rolled to her side, propping herself up on her elbow and using the other hand to lace her fingers with Laylee’s. “You often have food ready when Ford and I get home. You’ve done the grocery shopping for me.”
“But I’ve been useless where the dogs are concerned.”
Love for her sister made her a smile. “True, you haven’t warmed up to Maybelline. But with Paul now walking the dogs in the middle of the day, there haven’t been nearly as many issues. In a few more days the yards will be fenced, and then all you’ll need to do is let them out.”
Laylee shook her head. “You don’t need me. You’re the most self-sufficient person I know. Until Ford, you didn’t even care about having a date. Now, with him, the last thing you need is a sister hanging around all the time.”
Skye sat up so Laylee would get the full force of her sternest frown. “You are my sister and I love you. I willalwaysneed you. Always, Laylee.”
Swallowing heavily, Laylee sat up, too. “I’m in your way.”
“Don’t say things like that because it pisses me off.”
