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T H R E E
- Maeve -
My little sister was focused on her phone when I arrived at our favorite brunch spot, so I made it all the way to the narrow table before she looked up, her face brightening when she saw me.
“Hey!” she said, slipping her phone in the Coach purse I bought her for Christmas.
“Hi.” I took my coat off and shoved my scarf in the sleeve before hanging it over the chair across from her. “Hope you weren’t waiting long,” I said, taking a seat as my eyes dropped to the tiny Santa hat on top of the mini cactus in the center of the table.
“Not at all,” she said. “I got here early because I thought the place would be packed, but I guess people aren’t as sick of Christmas leftovers as I am.”
“Mom gave you leftovers? She didn’t give me shit.”
Maddy shrugged. “She split them between James and Quinn. I only got access through association.”
“That’s bullshit,” I said, sliding my napkin off the table.
“Agreed. But at least we know where we stand, right?”
My lips went slack.
“Did Kurt have a nice Christmas?”
"Yeah,” I said, though I hadn’t a clue. We’d spoken briefly on the phone Christmas Eve, but I hadn’t seen him since the holiday party. I hadn’t even had a chance to give him his presents, which included a voucher for an online chess class delivered by one of his personal heroes, a bottle of Brunello, and a riveting tome called 1000 Golf Courses You Should Play Before You Die.
She blinked at me and waited in vain for further explanation. “You guys going to make an appearance at Alicia’s New Year’s Eve Party?”
“I’m not sure.”
Maddy furrowed her brow. “Don’t tell me you’re staying in?”
I dropped my eyes to the menu in front of me. The truth was we hadn’t talked about New Year’s Eve yet. Not specifically. I mean, we’d sort of hinted at doing something—maybe a nice dinner—but we hadn’t made any reservations. That said, I hated her assumption that I was going to stay in, hated that everyone always assumed that. The only thing I hated more was going out. “I don’t know what we’re going to do yet.” It felt like a lie. Particularly the we’re part. Surely I should know already if Kurt and I were going to see each other that night? I kept reading the menu even though I always got the same thing.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine,” I said without looking up.
“Maeve.”
I lifted my gaze. “What?”
“You seem stressed.”
“Doesn’t everyone?” I asked. “It’s the holidays.”
“Are you guys having problems?”
I sighed. I really didn’t want to vent to my baby sister, but I was in uncharted territory here, and I didn’t know what to do. “I don’t know.”
“Talk to me.” Her pretty face filled with concern. “What’s up?”
“Nothing,” I said, recalling my unceremonious departure from the Christmas party. I knew it was juvenile to play games, but I hadn’t texted him to say I got home safe and then…crickets. “It’s just…” How could I open up to her without sounding totally pathetic?
Her chin inched towards me.
“Do you think I might be…broken?”
“What?!”
