“Well, if you say so, boss. Do you want me to call Sean or Pete, or shall I arrange for Taylor to drive you?”
“I’ll be fine. I’m only going uptown in a taxi.”
An hour later, he stood at the threshold of his sister’s apartment, anxiously pressing the bell.
Opening the door, she grinned.
“Thank God, you’re home!” he said, powering past her.
“Instead of ringing the bell like an unhinged lunatic with explosive diarrhea, you could’ve just used your key.”
He walked back to her, then kissed her cheek. “Sorry. I didn’t want to intrude. It’s your place, your privacy. You might have a guy here, after all.”
“Man, you look like crap, Will.”
“I haven’t slept much.”
A few uncomfortable seconds passed, and she finally said, “Soooo, what’s up?”
Running his hand through his hair he stammered, “I’m, um, here for Mom’s art supplies.”
“Whoa. Why?”
“No comment. I also need your advice.”
She stepped back from him, flashing a similar look Amanda had. “Myadvice?”
“Yeah.”
“Sweet! This should be good. Mr. Pemberley wants Zoomer advice. Come on in, and I’ll make you a cup of coffee. I had a feeling that today was going to be a game-changer.” Leading him down the paneled hall to the kitchen she added. “Hell, if you tell me you’re breaking it off with Beanz, then I’ll know I’m a friggin’ psychic.”
Settling at the breakfast bar, he laughed. “I’m not breaking off the engagement.”
She sighed. “A girl can dream. Do you want something to eat?”
“Mom’s poundcake.”
“No can do, but if your drama can hold out for a week maybe I can try to find the recipe and whip one up for you.”
“If it keeps up,Imay take up baking.”
“Yeah, nothing like Mom’s pound cake to turn the worst shit show around. But there was nothing like Mom speaking truth to power with wicked humor and love. She always set things right.”
“Today, you have some pretty big shoes to fill.”
She grinned. “I’ll try my best, but don’t hate on me if I sound like Dad.”
Lighting the flame under the percolator because “drip is shit,” she said, “Sock it to me.”
“Okay ...” he took a deep breath. “I saw Lizzy at Louisa Bingley’s wedding.”
“Whoa.”
“And I drank ... a lot.”
“Double whoa.”
“And ... and ... I think Lizzy and I had sex.”
