Three
Ellison
Sisters’ night looks different these days.Instead of the four of us being here together, acting silly, eating junk food, and watching our favorite rom-com for the one millionth time, we’re settled in front of a laptop screen so that Baylor can be here.
I miss her something fierce, but she’s living her dream, and I would never begrudge her that.Besides, we still act silly, eat too much junk food, and watch movies, but we’re just doing it with her through the screen.It’s not perfect, but I wouldn’t give up this time with my sisters for anything.
“So, what’s new?”Baylor asks, shoving a Twizzler into her mouth.
“Same old around here.”Courtlynn sighs.“Nothing exciting ever happens in this town; you know that, Bay.”She tips her head back to pour some Skittles into her mouth.
“You should come visit me in New York,” Baylor says.“It’s been too long since all three of you have been here.”Even through the screen, she’s giving us the look, the one that says we can’t argue with her.And she’s right.We each take turns going to New York to visit, but it’s been years—since her first year living there—that we’ve all been there at the same time.It’s just too much to leave the inn with Gram and Gramps these days.
“We can’t leave Gram and Gramps to look after the inn on their own,” Leighton tells her.It’s something we’ve spent a lot of time discussing, because Baylor not being here is like a piece of us is missing.
“It’s a well-oiled machine.You can take a long weekend to come and see me,” Baylor counters.“We have staff in place.Gram and Gramps won’t even notice you’re gone.”
“We miss you, too,” I tell Baylor, and she smiles.
“Fine, I’ll say it.I miss my sisters.”Baylor sticks out her tongue, making us all laugh.
“Come home,” Leighton says.
Baylor sighs.“I’ll come visit soon,” she assures us.
I hate that she’s the one who has to do all the traveling to get us all together, but that way she also gets to see Gram and Gramps.“We get it, Bay.You wanted more than Magnolia Ridge could give you.We support that, but we love you, and we miss you,” I tell her.
“I know.I love you guys, too.Soon.I know it’s easier for me to come to you than for all three of you to come to me.And I miss Gram and Gramps.We’ll make it happen soon,” she says again, as if she needs to put those words out into the universe to make them happen.
“How’s what’s his name?”Courtlynn asks her, and I have to stifle a laugh.
It’s no secret that none of us are a fan of Todd, Baylor’s boyfriend.He really doesn’t give her enough of his time.I get it.The guy has an intense job, but she’s my sister, and I worry about her spending so much time alone.That can’t be healthy, right?
“He’s great.Working on a couple of big cases.He’s still at the office,” she says.
A glance at the clock tells me it’s half past seven.Not unheard of for an attorney to work that late, but it seems as though it’s every night.I can’t remember the last time I talked to Baylor or video chatted with her and Todd was there in their New York City apartment, which they share.Even when it’s later at night.I’ve mentioned it a few times, and it only upsets her, so I bite my tongue these days.
“Aren’t you lonely?”Leighton asks.Her tender heart can’t stand the thought of Baylor spending so much time alone in a city of millions.
“Nah, I’m usually working, too.Besides, it means I get to have me time.”
“What about together time?”Courtlynn asks.“Do you ever get that?I mean, you’re living together.You should be getting dicked down on the daily, and something tells me that’s not happening.”
“Court!”I scold.Well, I try to scold her, but I’m laughing too hard, so is Leighton, and to my surprise, Baylor.
“Stop.”Baylor chuckles.“I get plenty of theD, little sister.Don’t you worry.”
Courtlynn shrugs.“If you say so.I mean, that’s a perk of living with the guy, but he’s never there.”
“He lives here,” Baylor counters.“All’s good, Court.Trust me.”
“If you say so,” Courtlynn mumbles.
“What about the three of you?If we’re talking about sex lives, let’s dive into yours.”Baylor smirks.
“Dry as a popcorn fart over here,” Courtlynn blurts out.
“Really, Court?”I ask, my mouth hanging open.
