I let out a blood-curdling scream. Note to self, get my house key back. “What did I tell you about just barging in?” I reached for my phone, turning the volume down.
“You told me not to. But I’m your sister and those rules don’t apply to me.”
“That rule was made for you.”
“What’s with all the liquor? Are you throwing a party?”
“No just doing some winter cleaning.”
Anika raised a half-full bottle of Don Julio. “Are you tossing these things out?”
“Yeah, I don’t need all this alcohol hanging around.” I was ten toes down when I told Aldi I wanted to support him in every way possible, and for me that meant getting rid of the many bottles of alcohol I’d been storing away and changing my bar cart into a coffee station.
“Why?”
“Because I need to focus on school and Aldridge doesn’t drink, so what’s the purpose?”
“I’ll take them off your hands.”
“Really?”
“Yes, free liquor is always a yes.”
“Great.”
“How was Sedona?”
“It was everything I needed and more. I think it brought us closer.”
“Well, you’re definitely glowing.”
I surveyed my sister’s face to determine if I should share more about the trip. Aldridge being in rehab and recovering wasn’t my business to tell. I’d let him share that information when and with whom he saw fit. But I was itching to share the news about law school because I knew that would make Anika proud. “Aldridge offered to pay my tuition.”
Anika clapped her hands. “Good old Aldridge. They don’t make men like him anymore. Most men barely have two nickels to rub together, and they hold that shit close, like Gollum’s ring. Let me guess, you told him no.”
“Wrong, I’m going to let him.”
“Who are you and what have you done to my moral high ground taking sister?”
“I think your consistent nagging finally got to me. Plus you’re letting Dante pay for the wedding of your dreams. It just?—”
“Actually, about the wedding?—”
“Don’t tell me you two broke up?” Did I have an I told you so in my back pocket at the ready? Yes. But the new Danessa wouldn’t be using it. If things had soured, I’d be supportive … relieved but supportive.
“No, I just don’t want to have a cookie-cutter wedding. I don’t think it represents who we are. When we look back on our day, I want to smile because we did exactly what we wanted.”
“What does that mean?”
Anika squared her shoulders. “We’re going to the Little White Wedding Chappel.”
“The place with the drive-up window?” My brows climbed my forehead and I fought the urge to strongly disagree.
“Yes, but we’ll be getting married inside.” I opened the closest bottle and took a long swig. “Say something.”
“Are you sure? Anika, this is your wedding day. You only get one first wedding day.”
“I love Dante, and he loves me and honestly that’s all that matters.”
