Asher comes down the stairs, adjusting his tie. "Oh. Jamie. Hey."
"Asher." Her tone is frigid. "I’m done with my sister being stressed. She needs a break."
He pauses for a beat at the bottom of the stairs before he continues walking. "A break?"
"Yeah. She's dealing with too much and I’m legit worried now." Jamie gives him a pointed look. "So I thought about it last night and I've decided I’m taking her on a girls trip. Get out of the city. Relax."
I frown and cross my arms, doing my best to appear as though I don’t love the idea. “A girls trip?” I ask, frowning. “Are you crazy? I can’t–”
“Where?” Asher interrupts.
"San Juan Islands," Jamie says. "There's this cute little inn I found. We'll leave tomorrow and spend five nights maxing and relaxing. Just the two of us. Some sister time.”
“What? That’s out of the question,” I protest, like I’m fully against it. “We can’t do that. The store–”
She holds up her hand and makes a buzzer sound. “I've already reached out to the staff and found fill ins for us. The store is covered."
“Jamie, I’m not in the mood for..." I hesitate. Jamie and I planned this, though, so she knows what to do.
“You’re not in the mood for fun? For relaxation? This is bullshit, Julie,” Jamie interrupts angrily. "I'm not taking no for an answer. This is non-negotiable"
Out of the corner of my eye, I see that Asher is gauging my reaction. So I stay flat.
"Seriously, no. It’s too much. I’m fine, really. Just tired," I tell Jamie. "A few good night's of sleep will get me through. I just can’t leave home right now for a vacation, Jamie," I murmur.
I'm counting on Asher being soothed by that. When I see him nod to himself like he's made a decision, I know I played it just right. "Babe, no. Jamie is right. You need a break.”
The eagerness in his voice makes me sick. I bet he's already planning what he'll do when I'm gone.
“No. I need to be here,” I argue.
“Julie. Stop. You're going. I insist. I can hold down the fort for a few days. You need to have fun. Period. ”
We have a silent standoff where only one of us knows the other is trying to sell something. He's trying to look like a man who gives a single shit about me. I'm trying to look like a woman who wants to stay home.
"Whatever. Fine. Fine, fine, fine," I say, my voice making it clear I’m not thrilled.
"Don’t be annoyed. Your sister is doing what I should have thought of before now." He puts his arm around my shoulder and kisses the top of my head. "It'll be good for you."
Jamie and I exchange a glance.
"Then we're agreed," Jamie says. "I'll pick you up tomorrow morning. We're going to relax and decompress and not think aboutanythingstressful." She glances at Asher and gives him a pointed look.
"I guess," I say.
Asher looks relieved. The first genuine, full smile I've seen in a while. He grabs his briefcase. "It is going to be great. In fact, it’s on me, Jamie. The whole thing. I’ll Zelle you some money."
Jamie crosses her arms. “I’d normally say no, because fuck your money, but not this time. Youshouldpay for this.”
The way she’s letting him know he’s in the dog house is perfect. He’s not suspicious at all.
“You’re right, Jamie. I’ll do better. Promise. But right now, I’ve got to run. Have a good day, both of you." He practically skips as he leaves.
Ninety seconds after he walks into the garage, Jamie gets an alert on her phone. She lets out a disgusted huff and holds it out to me. He Zelle'd her twenty thousand dollars. For a five day trip.
Rich asshole.
We stare at each other in silence as the garage door opens and closes. I hear his car pulling out of the driveway. No words are exchanged. I told her last night I no longer trust anything in this house. And I have no confidence that Devon isn't listening. So the conversation my sister and I are having right now is purely with our eyes.
