Her sister’s profile was a silhouette against the darkness, but Lizzy could still see her smile falter.
“What is it?” Lizzy asked, suddenly concerned.
Jane released a long breath. “We were on the beach, and Charlie said he wanted to take me away on a romantic weekend. He was asking me if I’ve ever been to Paris or Rome just as the fireworks started and it was all so perfect…” Her voice stuttered, then came back in a whisper. “Then he told me he loved me.”
Lizzy sat up with a jolt. “Oh my God. That’s amazing!”
Jane nodded slowly. “Yeah. It’s amazing.”
“Okay… why don’t I believe you?”
Her sister finally turned to her, her eyes lined with tears. “I didn’t say it back.”
An ache shot through Lizzy’s chest as she reached over and took Jane’s hand, squeezing it gently. “That’s okay. You’re not obligated to love him just because he loves you.”
“But that’s the thing. Ido.” Jane’s voice was suddenly earnest, almost panicked. “And I wanted to say it back. He was looking at me, and the words were right there. I was just…” She swallowed, waiting a moment. “I didn’t expect it. I just froze, Lizzy. And then…” Jane hesitated for what seemed like an eternity, then covered her eyes with her hands. “I panicked and told him I had to pee and ran back into the house!”
Oh God.
“I’m sure he understands, Jane,” Lizzy said after a moment. “It’s a big step. You were just caught off guard.” After all, Lizzy thought to herself, this was Jane’s first serious relationship. Maybe… her first real relationship. A little grace was important.
“I know,” Jane replied, then gave her a watery smile. “But the look on Charlie’s face tonight when I didn’t say anything… then I left him there…” Jane shook her head, small, jerky movements. “I feel so awful.”
“So call him and tell him now.”
“Right.” Jane threw her sister a cynical expression even as a small smile teased her lips. “Just call him up and say ‘Hey, sorry I left you hanging earlier, but I love you, too!’?”
“Why not?”
Jane let out a soft laugh. “I’m not sure that’s the grand gesture that’s going to fix this.”
“So make it a grand gesture,” Lizzy said, nudging her sister with her shoulder. “Plan something super romantic, and then tell him.”
“Just… tell him?”
“Wait until he’s completely entranced by how you tie your shoes or something equally erotic, then say, ‘I’m totally and completely in love with you,’?” Lizzy mimicked Jane’s light and airy voice, then dissolved into laughter.
“I do not sound like that!” Jane said, trying to maintain somelevel of indignation in her voice, even though she was laughing now, too.
“Yes you do. But don’t worry, he’s ten times worse.”
Jane let her laughter fade before she looked back up at the stars.
“It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, Jane,” Lizzy added after a moment. “But if you want it to be, then let’s make it happen.”
Jane nodded, though there was still a line of worry between her eyebrows. It was like she was trying to convince herself, too. Another moment passed, then she spoke again. “What about you?”
“What about me?” Lizzy asked.
“You and Tristan.”
“There is no me and Tristan.”
Her sister’s face fell. “No text?”
“Nope.”
“Is that why you left early?”
