“And you’re being an idiot. I need for you give this a rest. Fancy never led me anywhere I didn’t willingly want to go.”
Dial’s arms were pinned across her chest. “When it comes to Francesca you make bad choices and then I have to be a one-woman clean-up crew.”
“I turned to you for support one time. But you can’t keep throwing one of the lowest points of my life in my face. I was nineteen Dial, I barely knew what love was. I just lost my bestfriend and the woman I thought was going to be my wife. So yeah, I cried and didn’t shower for a week.”
“For months you just went to work and home. I hardly recognized you. It was like Fancy took your joy with her to LA.”
Dial was the type who liked to pretend nothing fazed her. When she and Oz ended things, there weren’t any tears. I could tell she was hurting only because she was my sister. She was always so strong even when I reassured her she didn’t have to be.
“I love you because even at my worst, you always showed up for me. This thing with Fancy is real and I need you to be okay with it.”
“And what about LA? I’m not trying to find flaws; I just want you to use your head.”
“Fancy and I have agreed to devise a plan that works for the both of us.”
“So, what is it?”
“I don’t know yet,” I chuckled. “But I need you to trust that I’ve got this handled.” I scooted my chair closer. “How can you stay mad at this face?” Sticking out my bottom lip, I flashed my puppy dog eyes. “It’s me Eddy, your favorite baby brother.”
For the first time tonight, her shoulders appeared to relax. “I’m an asshole because I care. You are the gentlest soul I’ve ever known, and you deserve all the good things. And you need to be loved by someone who makes you their number one priority because that’s how much you love them. I’m not saying Fancy doesn’t care because it’s clear she does. My only question was can she love you in the way you need and deserve. I only pry because I love you.”
“And I love you for it.” Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled her close.
Dial didn’t hug me back because that wasn’t her way, but she did pat my arm. “Eww, Eddy, enough.” I released her. “Can you believe dad threatened us with no dessert?”
“I’m surprised he didn’t make us run laps or do pushups.”
“Knees to chest. All the way down. You call that a pushup?” We shared a laugh.
Back in the house we were rewarded with a strawberry tart and ice cream. After several bites, Dial turned to Fancy and said, “Sorry for the static.” For Dial that was a pretty good apology.
“Thank you.” Fancy squeezed my knee before stuffing a huge strawberry into her mouth.
I showedup to our meeting with a laptop, notepad, sticky notes, and a tall glass of iced tea like we were negotiating a peace agreement. Fancy and I decided to sit down and have a comprehensive dialogue about our relationship. Was it romantic? No. Was it what I needed to be comfortable? Yes.
“Should we have hired a stenographer?” Fancy teased.
“I just like to be prepared.” Setting my things on the antique dining table, I took a seat.
Fancy had already made herself comfortable with a red wine and Coke. I loved the way she looked at home in my space. She wore a tank top sans bra, which was her signature style, and her shorts were part of the gym uniform for Hume High School. I wasn’t sure if they were the same pair from high school or a new one.
Fancy reached for her glass and took a long, thoughtful sip before folding her legs underneath herself. “So where should we start?”
“How about you tell me what your lawyer said.” While I was at Figs and Twine Fancy was in conversations with her lawyers, agent, and personal assistant. Walking away from amultimillion-dollar country group was just as complicated as you’d imagine.
“What didn’t she say? The only property Chap and I share is the condo. We contributed equally and so the sale of the unit would be divided fifty fifty. There is a chance he might want to purchase the place from me.”
“How would that work?”
“We’d have the condo appraised, agree on a price, and he’d pay half of that.”
“Have you considered buying it from him?”
“No, I don’t want to give him any more of my money. Plus, I never really liked that place. Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful but it was never really my speed. I’m looking for a clean break. Fresh new start.”
I scribed quick notes on my notepad. “Will he still be your manager?”
“No, he’s been served with an intent to cancel letter ending his role as my manager. There is a hefty early termination fee, but I’m willing to pay it to be done with him. Luckily Darla and I signed our management agreements separately. If we hadn’t, this could have ended up in a nasty legal battle.”
