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“You promised to make all her wishes come true.” Rowan turns on his side and closes his eyes. “Can you do that one?”
I grin to myself. “I’ll give it my best shot, bud. I swear.”
* * *
The next morning,I’m surprised to be woken by a call from Nova.
We spoke last night and she informed me that none of our research had been stolen or broken after the attempted burglary. She also asked about how Rowan was doing.
Unfortunately, it was only a short conversation. I got the sense that she was feeling slightly awkward about what she said in the elevator. She seemed to be overcompensating by being incredibly poised and clinical when she spoke to me.
There were no shared I love yous at the end. Only a business-like ‘I’ll keep you updated, Adam’ before she hung up the phone.
It was my intention to go after her today, even if it meant kidnapping her for a date.
But my plans are dashed when I answer Nova’s call and hear her angry tone.
“She’s refusing to see the lawyer, Adam.”
“Who?” I sit up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
“Lyra,” Nova hisses. “I got a call from Hall today. He says Lyra won’t say a word. The only time she opened her mouth was to ask for me.”
I swing my legs over the bed, alert and ready to go. “I only need five minutes to brush my teeth and take a quick shower. I can pick you up,” I check the clock on my nightstand, “in thirty minutes.”
“I’m not seeing her,” Nova snaps.
I freeze. “Why not?”
“This isn’t the first time Lyra’s landed in jail. She’s been in and out of trouble since she was a teenager.”
I grip the phone tightly, listening to every word. This is the first time Nova’s voluntarily opening up about her past and her family. It feels like a sign that we’ve really reached the next level, even though she’s not as gushy and romantic as she was yesterday.
“My mom died because she kept following Lyra up and down and all over the place. I won’t let her manipulate my life like that.”
“She’s your sister.”
“And I’m supposed to excuse every bad decision she makes because we share blood? That doesn’t make sense.”
I choose my words carefully because I know Nova means that with all her heart. If something doesn’t make sense, she cuts it. If something isn’t necessary, she abandons it. It’s very easy for her to put things into careful boxes and set them aside.
It’s a great skill to have when running the company. She can step back from emotions and take a long, objective look at the picture. When she’s done, whatever her decision, it’s the best one for Vision Tech. And if it hurts someone’s feelings, well… too bad.
But though it might work for Vision Tech, that skill of hers is a weakness when it comes to family and friends.
I have the opposite problem. It’s yet another example where our strengths and weaknesses line up to support each other.
“Darlin’,” I hesitate, “I love how decisive you are. And I think your point about Lyra not being worth the effort is valid.”
She sighs over the phone. I can almost feel her breath rushing into my ear. “Go ahead. Spring the ‘but’ on me.”
I smile because she’s the most lovable woman in the world and I have no idea what I did to deserve her. “But,” I grin harder, “giving your sister a chance isn’t for her. It’s for you.”
“That’s a very big leap, Adam.”
“Hear me out.” I press my hand into the bed and push myself to my feet. “The more bitter and angry you are at Lyra, the more control she has over you. If just the thought of her makes you resentful, that’s power. That’s someone else being able to manipulate how you feel.” I reach for a clean T-shirt. “I know how much you hate being controlled. Do you wantLyrato have that much power?”
“Since when did you major in family counseling?”
