She shrugs. “They already had plans.”
“Fair enough. Maybe we should’ve given them a heads-up.”
“Maybe.” She takes a long sip of her wine.
She’s acting weird.
“I know we’re having dinner with your friend Veronica tomorrow night, but maybe we can stop by your folks’ after or maybe we can make plans to meet with them the day after if they can’t tomorrow. We still have three days in New York City. It would be great to see them before we leave.”
“The restaurant business can be so unpredictable. They’re not sure they’re going to be available while we’re here.”
“What about your brothers?”
“They’re in the same boat. And most have young children. They barely have time to sleep as it is.”
She’s not making any sense.
“Are you telling me your folks don’t even have ten minutes to meet with their own daughter, and your brothers can’t carve up a little time for their sister?”
She folds her lips between her teeth.
“Carina.” I shake her leg.
She stares at me.
“What’s going on? And don’t tell me nothing because I ain’t buying it.”
“I met with my parents this morning.”
“That’s great news. How did it go?”
“It was interesting,” she says with a heavy sigh.
“In what sense?”
“It’s a long story. In any case, go jump in the shower so we can go out to dinner.”
Something’sup.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
Her shoulders rise and fall. “Noth––” My hard expression stops her.
She looks away.
I place my fingers underneath her chin and force her to meet my gaze.
“Talk to me, Carina.”
“It’s…” She lets her words hang and shakes her head with her lips pursed tight together. It’s as if she’s having a conversation with herself.
What the hell?
“Well…” Another head shake.
“Well, what—” Realization thuds like a hammer blow as humiliation washes over me. My head jerks back, my eyes widening. “They don’t want to meet me? Is that it?”
“They’re… it’s just a little busy right now.”
