AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"No,” She opens the fridge and pulls out an apple. “But I didn't think that he was married," she says, wide-eyed, taking a loud crunchy bite. "I sure didn’t think that as soon as his wife got back from her trip to Italy, he'd dump me."
I press my lips together. "He was married?"
"I didn't know.” She takes another bite and I’m not sure if I believe her or not.
"I hope not. The good thing is that you’re back now.”
"I suppose." She looks around the apartment and sighs. “Doesn’t look like you guys spent much time tidying up when I was gone.” She makes a face and something snaps in me.
"Excuse me? Oh hell no.” I fume at her. “You need to find a job. Enough is enough, Elise. You need to be a better mother."
She stares at me for a couple of seconds and nods slowly. "So you think I'm a bad mom?"
"I do," I say softly, feeling bad for telling her the truth.
"And you think I'm a bad sister?"
I shrug in response.
"You think I've taken advantage of you?"
"Don't you?" I ask her.
She looks at me for a couple of seconds and I wonder if she's going to disagree with me. I wonder if she's going to play the obnoxious, ignorant little kid like she always does. She shakes her head, which surprises me. "No, you’re my big sister and we both take advantage of each other." She shrugs and I want to ask her in what ways I’ve ever had the opportunity to take advantage of her. "But I know I can trust you and I know you love my kids as much as if they were your own, so I feel safe leaving you in charge.”
I nod slowly. I didn’t want to get into it with her in front of the kids. "Okay, sure."
"By the way, have you got some news for me?" She tilts her head to the side and eyes me suspiciously. I already know what she’s referring to.
"What do you mean?" I ask her as the kettle beeps that the water is done boiling. I grab the kettle and pour the hot water into the French press. I have five minutes to wait until I can press it and pour myself a large mug of coffee.
"You're engaged." She looks down at my hand and grabs it. "Wow, that's a huge ring. You didn't even tell me you were dating anyone, and you certainly didn't tell me you were dating a billionaire."
My eyes narrow as I stare at her. "How do you know he’s a billionaire?"
"It’s in the fricking New York Times. Mom called me. The parents are ecstatic."
"Mom knows?" I ask, feeling dread in my heart. This is the last thing that I need.
"Hello. She's received several calls herself. Her and dad have been trying to call you all morning just like I have."
"Oh shit," I say as I grab my phone and check the screen. I power it on. I have several text messages and voicemails and I groan. I scroll through to see that I have several missed calls from both of my parents and from Jackson. I look at my text messages and freeze as I read Jackson’s last message that he’s his way over. "Shit, shit, shit. Jackson is on his way over." I rush to my bedroom to look in the mirror to glance at my appearance. I look like a hot mess, but I don't have time to get changed. I look at the screen one more time and go to press the phone to listen to my parents' messages, but Elise comes rushing into the bedroom.
"He's here." She says excitedly. "And holy shit, he's gorgeous. Good on you, girl." I blink at her for a couple of seconds before I go rushing out into the living room. I do not want to leave Jackson standing there by himself with the kids and Lila.
"Hey," I say nonchalantly as I make eyes at him. “You’re here.”
He stares at me for a couple of seconds, a small smile on his face. "I am here. Is everything okay?"
"Yeah. Why wouldn't it be?"
"I wasn't sure if you called the whole thing off or something."
"What?"
"You didn't respond to any of my calls or messages or-"
"Oh, I just had my phone turned off. I just needed to think for the evening without being disturbed by anyone." I hold my phone up. "The messages literally just came through."
