"What I heard was that I needsomeonewith me. So, I'll pack up my equipment and go stay at Margot's. Because what I also heard was you spiraling about you and Liam."
"I'm not—"
"You want to be more than just hot dad and nanny," she cuts in. "Am I right?"
My eyes narrow so small I think they might disappear altogether. "How did you—"
"I'm your sister too, Tessie. I know things. And one of those things is that you save people. It's what you do. You save me from my own mistakes and Margot from future ones. You save Owen from his dating disasters, and Grant—well, I'm honestly unclear on what goes on in Grant's life. But I know if and when he needs it, you'll show up for him too."
My face heats as I plop back down into the chair. "I'm your big sister. That's my job."
"Maybe sometimes," she nods, staring again at the corner of the blanket like she's proceeding with caution. "But taking care of people can't be all that you are, and I'm not letting you use me as your excuse for why you won't take this next step."
"You're not an excuse," I rush to argue.
She squints at me. "The nurse said you were already in the car this morning when she called."
"So?"
"At 6:30?"
"I was worried about you. And clearly I was right."
She grins. "How'd you know what hotel I'd be at?"
"I was gonna go to your house."
"And you thought I'd be up at 6:30?"
"You were!"
"Yeah. To eat hotel waffles. Not to drive somewhere I could have gone the night before."
I slap my palm to my forehead and rub away the tension. "What are you getting at, Jo?"
"Liam," she says so simply it's devastating. "Did you tell him you were leaving? Have you checked in since?"
I swallow hard, my voice barely able to squeeze through the tightness. "I didn't want him to worry."
She nods slowly. "Now that I believe."
Unexpected emotion crawls up my neck, my eyes glazing with tears I never saw coming.
Jo takes my hand in hers and squeezes tight. "Why are you afraid to tell Ruthie?"
I want to screamNo! I'm not the one who's on trial here.But looking at her, in this vulnerable state, I know she doesn't mean for this to be an interrogation.
Damn her and her interviewing skills.
"People act differently once things get real," I admit. "Maybe this version of us only exists when I'm just the nanny."
"Tess…"
"I'm serious!"
"You're right," she sighs. "But isn't that the whole point? I'm sure Liam will step up."
"He will." My words come out quickly—secure and unshakeable—and Jo looks at me more confused than ever. "It's me that I'm worried about."
