My eyes get wide. In about thirtyseconds, I’m going to throttle her. “Blackmail.”
“Oh, don’t get so technical. It’s just asmall favor; and when I get it, I’ll give you the test strip and you can tellthe family whenever you want.”
I tilt my head, inferring she should keeptalking. “I need a letter of recommendation for law school and one for ascholarship.”
My defenses are suddenly gone and all Iwant to do is cry. Why would Jill think she needed a bargaining chip for me tohelp her—we’re family? Even if I don’t like her sometimes. I swallow a fewtimes to get the lump out of my throat and keep my tears at bay. “I realize youand I have never gotten along very well, but we’re family. The one thing thatI’ve learned from my whirlwind romance and marriage to Cole is that family isimportant, even if they nag, tease and torment. When it comes down to whatmatters, family is always there for you. That’s why my mom is here. That’s whyAunt Kathy is here.”
Jill scoffs, “she’s not here for you.”
“You’re right, she’s not. She’s here formy mom to be her support. If you had just come to me and Cole and asked him fora letter of recommendation, he wouldn’t have thought twice about it. Hell, ifyou said it was your lifelong dream to get into Harvard Law School, he wouldhave pulled every string possible to make that happen for you, Jill. But this…”I wave my hand at the pregnancy test in her hand. “Is downright betrayal, and Iwon’t have any part of it, and I won’t involve Cole. So, when you decide togrow up and give me that back, because you don’t know what you’re talkingabout, I’ll ask Cole to do whatever you’d like. And I’m not pregnant.” I walkpast Jill, leaving her in the kitchen. I should have freaked out about thetest. I’m pretty sure in the morning I’m going to strangle her, but I’m donewith being bullied by people and taking load after load of the bullshit fromthem. In the bedroom, I pull my clothes off and crawl into bed. I feel likecrying, but I’m too tired even for tears. Besides, I’ve cried enough for oneday. I curl myself into a ball, falling asleep in seconds.
“Kate,” I feel the bed sag and thenCole’s cool hand on my forehead as he brushes my hair out of my face.
“Hey,” I say groggily.
“I’m leaving for work. I just wanted tosay goodbye.”
I sit up. “What time is it?”
“It’s just after seven.”
“Did you come back last night? I thoughtyou were?”
Cole gives me a weak smile. “Yes, I didfor a while, you were out cold. I didn’t know you snored.”
“I have no idea what you’re talkingabout,” I say with a sleepy smile.
“I got up and worked out and then cameback here to shower.”
“And now you’re leaving. Isn’t todaySunday?” I lay back down, pulling the covers over me.
“Yes, I won’t be gone long. What doesyour family have planned today?”
“I have no idea. Probably more shoppingand more wedding planning.” I roll onto to my side, tucking my knees up againstmy stomach.
“I won’t be too late. Text me if you needanything, or what your plans are for the day.”
“Okay,” I yawn, closing my eyes. Colepresses his lips to my forehead, and then I’m asleep.
“Wake up, sleepy head.” Laura bounces onthe bed and I bounce with it.
“What time is it?”
“After ten.”
“Jeez—really? I can’t remember the lasttime I’ve slept this long.”
Laura laughs. “Really, the girl who isanti-morning?”
“Is the girl who married the ultimatemorning man, ironic, I know.” I stretch and sit up.
“What’s everybody doing?”
“Um—Jill and Kathy took your grandma tothe mafia museum. Which I think is weird. What’s with your grandma and themob?”
“Beats me. She likes all those old mobmovies. What’re my mom and Annie doing?”
“They’re going through that bridalplanner binder thing they made you and trying to decide on details. I’m prettysure your colors are navy blue and hot pink.”
