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“Something wrong?” Lanie asked before taking yet another unbothered sip of wine.
Rose couldn’t put her finger on why, but the nonchalant attitude grated on her nerves more than if Lanie had stormed in demanding answers. The former Rose could have understood, because breaking up with Steven had been like pulling the pin in a grenade. Just because she left before it detonated didn’t mean she expected to escape unscathed.
“Why are you really here?” Despite her best attempts at trying to keep her temper in check, the question came out much more harshly than she’d intended.
Lanie blinked. “I told you already. I wanted to be here in case you needed to talk.”
“Even if I did need someone to talk to, you wouldn’t be my first choice.”
To her surprise, Lanie’s expression became pained. “Ouch.”
“I’m sorry.” Rose pursed her lips. “Actually, no, I’m not. Look, I don’t mean to be rude, but you’re Steven’s sister. You may have your differences, but he’s your family, and I don’t expect you’ll understand my reasons for doing what I did.”
Lanie leaned forward and set her glass on the table. “Really? You don’t think I feel like my brother has brought this on himself?” She lifted her hand and began ticking things off on her fingers. “He left the rehab facility early against medical advice, went back to work sooner than was recommended, worked himself to the bone despite everyone in his life telling him to take it easy, then has the audacity to fight with you about your very reasonable request to postpone the wedding.”
Rose opened her mouth to speak but couldn’t find the words. Apparently taking satisfaction in Rose’s obvious shock, Lanie sat back on the couch with a triumphant smile.
“He may be my brother, but he’s being a real knucklehead. I’m hoping the breakup will be the wake-up call he needs.”
“But it won’t change my mind,” Rose insisted.
“Good.” Lanie raised her glass and clinked Rose’s. “It serves him right.”
Is she serious? Her brother was laid up in the hospital as they spoke, but Lanie didn’t seem the least bit fazed by that fact. Or by the reality of what Rose had done.
“Though I appreciate your support, I wonder if it’s a bit misplaced.”
“How so?”
Rose squirmed in her seat. “I mean, he is your brother, and he is in the hospital.”
“As a result of his own actions.”
“But don’t you feel even the slightest bit sorry for him?”
Lanie raised an eyebrow. “Do you?”
Is this some weird version of reverse psychology? Does Lanie think by acting as if she doesn’t care about her brother, she’ll get to the heart of how much I do care?
“I’m not completely heartless—”
“It’s not heartless to call someone out on their actions.” Lanie shook her head. “Am I worried about Steven? Of course. But does that mean I don’t think he’s reaping what he’s sown? Absolutely not.”
Rose’s mouth fell open in shock while Lanie went on sipping her wine as if she hadn’t confirmed everything Rose had been feeling for weeks. And Rose had to admit that for once, she didn’t feel quite so alone.
“Look, I love my brother. But he can’t get out of this one with empty promises. If he wants to live to see his business thrive, he’s going to have to make some changes. If he wants a chance to grovel at your feet and beg you to reconsider, which I have no doubt he plans to do, he’ll have to prove he’s going to do what needs to be done to get better.” Lanie gave her signature one-shoulder shrug. “He gambled with his health and the love of his life, and he lost.”
“Don’t you hate me, though?” Rose pressed. “For kicking him while he’s down?”
Lanie snorted. “Are you kidding? I’m surprised you didn’t do it sooner.”
Frowning, Rose stared at her hands. As much as she appreciated Lanie’s support, something didn’t sit right with her. While yes, Steven should have paid more attention to his health, she didn’t love the idea of him sitting alone in a hospital room.
“That means a lot to me,” she said. “But I do worry about him.”
Lanie’s face softened. “I know you do, and I do too.” She laid her hand on Rose’s. “And I worry about you.”
“Me?” Rose stared at her. “I’m perfectly fine.”
