“Are you thinking of taking a leave of absence, or…?” Again, I ask because I think Neve is short-circuiting.
“I’d like it to be a permanent change,” G answers with a confidence that couldn’t have come from the few sips of the drink she’s had.
“You want to keep working with me?” Finally, Neve finds her words.
“Well, if it works out. Yeah. I love working with you. But, no pressure. If you don’t think you want to take someone on full-time yet, that’s okay. I promise.”
Neve’s response is to walk the short distance to her sister and hug her. Tightly. I’m pretty sure she’s crying. Georgia is looking at me wide-eyed, like she’s as clueless as I am about the emotional moment.
When Neve pulls back, there are tears streaming down her face. “You believe in my business enough to work with me permanently?” Not the question either of us was expecting, but I love that Neve keeps saying “workwith” and not “for.” It’s how I feel about my team, too. They call me boss jokingly, but they know I couldn’t function without them.
“Of course I do.” Georgia takes her sister’s hands in hers. “You’ve built this incredible business on your own. I’m finally seeing firsthand not only how hard you’ve had to work, but exactly how impressiveyouare. I’d be so, so lucky to be a part of it.”
Neve pulls her into another hug, something between a sob and a laugh spilling out of her. “I’m so happy right now,” she says through tears. “I was just telling Leo I had no idea how I’d find someone to replace you, because I definitely need someone I can count on to run this business with me. You’re the most perfect person for the job. I never in a million years thought my baby sister would want to help me, let alone become someone I can’t imagine working without. Plus, I love getting to see you every day, and this has been like the best summer ever.” She finally takes a breath. Falling in love has made my best friend a little softer, and I love to see it.
Georgia laughs, wiping at her sister’s tears. “If you’re serious about all of that, I’ll send in my resignation to the school board tomorrow.” She looks down at her now-empty glass, grimacing.“Actually, I’d better make it another day; tomorrow I’m going to be nursing a headache from all this booze and sugar.”
“Hell yes, you are, because now you have to have another one so we can celebrate.” Neve jumps up, lunging for the blender that’s got more of this dangerous drink inside, refilling all our glasses.
“To the Ross sisters kicking ass.” I lift my glass, and the two of them do the same, beaming with joy, as the clinking sounds fill the room.
“Anyone else have big news they want to share?” Georgia laughs, scratching her neck a little nervously. Poor girl is going to overthink this so much. No doubt she’s terrified we’re about to dissect her decision, but I can tell she’s doing the right thing, so I give her an out.
“I’m sleeping with Peter.Darcy. You know who I mean.” I wave a hand in the air as my friends stare at me wide-eyed. “Yeah. We’re having sex. Like regularly.”
“I don’t think we have enough alcohol for this, Bill,” Neve mumbles.
Georgia laughs. And laughs and laughs until tears gather in her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Billie. I’m not laughing at you. But I mean… Oh my God, no shit. Have youseenthe two of you together? You’re basically eye-fucking each other every time you’re in the same room.”
“Goodie-two-shoes teacher quits her job and decides to start cussing, eh? Wow, G. Also, we do not eye-fuck. Wefuckfuck. And that’s it. That’sallit is.”
I look at Neve, who’s downed her second glass and is tipping the blender upside down to get the last drops out.
“G, please make some more frosé. Billie, explain to me how this works when Darcy goes back to Toronto.” Neve sits on a stool, head in her hands like she’s simultaneously invested in my answer but also getting a headache from the mere thought of it.
“What the fuck is a frosé?” I ask, because seriously, who names these drinks?
“It’s frozen rosé with extra booze and syrup. Now, get to the point, Elizabeth Cameron.” Yikes. She full-named me.
Georgia moves around the kitchen at lightning speed, gathering her ingredients as she quietly mumbles, “Oh shiiiiiiiit.”
“It’s not a big deal,” I start slowly. “We slept together in Halifax, and we decided we want to do it again since we had a good time. We figured, why not? We’re both here, anyway. And when he’s no longer here, we no longer sleep together. We’re not even doing sleepovers.” I smile, proud of my simple explanation. “Easy peasy lemon squeezy.”
“I’m gonna lemon squeezy your throat if you don’t get real honest about this real fast. Do you remember a few months ago when I was all like,I’m not gonna fall in love with the sexy lumberjack because he makes me coffee and gives me orgasms. Look at how wellthatturned out, Billie.” Neve rubs her temples, blowing out a long breath. “Okay, so in my case, it turned out great. Excellent, even. But… you hate commitment. And I don’t know much about Darcy, but I don’t think he feels the same way.”
“Maybe not normally, but he seemed totally on board with this when I proposed it a week ago. I haven’t heard him complain. Not once. And we’ve been together every day since.” I don’t know how Peter feels about commitment. I haven’t asked him. But I didn’t think I needed to, since everything’s been so great lately.
“Okay.” She nods as Georgia places a fresh drink in front of her. “Okay. I trust you. You know that.” She pins me in place with her stare, and all I can do is bob my head in agreement. “I only want what’s best for you, and I don’t want either of you to get hurt.”
“I know,” I whisper, averting my gaze to the food set out between us.
“But, Bill?” Neve’s voice softens. “If you do… If you do get hurt, I’ll be here. No matter what.”
“Yeppers!” Georgia chimes in, clearly way past tipsy now.
“Thanks, you two.” I grab a chunk of cheese, holding it in the air. “Now, let’s eat and soak up all this frosé shit.”
We all cheers with cheese and continue the evening, knowing none of us are leaving this house until late tomorrow morning.
