“Yeah, but I thought that meant, like, drawing pictures and visiting museums on the weekend.”
Emma turned to look out the window so Margo wouldn’t see her scowl. Just because she didn’t talk about art—just like she never really talked about their mother, a topic that was almost always off-limits—didn’t mean that she wasn’t serious about it.
“The application deadline is in January, and I should hear about an interview pretty soon after that,” she said, ignoring her sister’s comment.
“And have you asked Dad to put in a good word yet?” Margo replied. “You probably wouldn’t even need an interview once he calls.”
“I’mnotasking Dad for help. I can do this on my own.”
“You do realize you might not get this thing without him though, right?”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Emma mumbled.
“Come on, you know I think you’re amazing, but every graduate on the East Coast with a master’s in fine arts wants to work at the Met. Meanwhile, Dad is one of their biggest patrons. Why not use him?”
Emma took a deep breath and replied as calmly as she could, “I’m going to do this myself, Margo.”
Her sister threw up her hands. “Fine. Whatever. Just promise you won’t completely rule it out?”
Emma softened. “We’ll see.” Despite her harsh words, she knew Margo’s heart was in the right place. It always was.
“Good.” Margo smiled, triumphant. “Now tell me how much you miss me.”
“Not even in the slightest.”
Her sister laughed.
“Seriously, though, it’s fine,” Emma continued. “I miss having you down the hall, but we’re adjusting. Dad is keeping busy. And Nadine is over all the time now.”
Margo nodded. “I’m glad you two found each other.”
“Me too.”
“So… are you going to apologize?”
Emma blinked. “To Nadine?”
“No, to George.”
She rolled her eyes. “Why should I? I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“So if you see him at home, you’ll walk away?”
Emma’s head fell back against the pillows. “Maybe.”
Margo scoffed. “You realize he’s probably forgotten all of this, right? He’s got other stuff going on.”
“Like what?”
“I mean, he’s thirty now. He’s busy running a successful business, and he’s single. He’s probably getting serious about settling down.”
Emma frowned. “What does that mean?”
Margo seemed to consider. “I think he’s lonely. I mean, he’s in that house all by himself, and if he’s not there, he’s in the office. Sooner or later he’s got to fall for someone, even if it’s just to give his mind something else to think about.”
Emma curled further into the sofa cushions, ignoring the hot curl of possessiveness in her belly. Seriously, how long could this disagreement possibly go on?
The front door opened suddenly and Ben appeared, his long arms laden with shopping bags.
