“There you go again.”
I sat on the edge of my bed while my sister leaned in close, one hand against my cheek as she tried to draw the perfect wing. Late afternoon sunlight spilled through the window, highlighting the concentration on her face.
For a moment, it felt like we were teenagers again. Just Theory and Pip, except…
The quiet.
My sister wasn’t quiet with me. She was opinionated and usually had something to say about everybody’s business. Lately, she seemed distracted, though, like part of her was somewhere else.
“You good?” I asked.
“I’m fine.”
“Liar.”
Pip rolled her eyes.
“You married a Russian gangsta. Worry about yourself.”
“Umm… you wanted me to!” I reminded her.
She looked at me all soft then and smiled. Leaning forward, she kissed my forehead.
“I did. And look how happy you are. I’m so glad you’re happy, Theory.”
Tears filled both our eyes as I wrapped my arms around her middle. Finally, she cleared her throat.
“You mess up this eyeliner, I know something!”
I laughed, but I watched her carefully. Whatever was bothering her was heavy, like it had been sitting with her for a while.
“You know,” I said casually, “I’ve been waiting.”
She side-eyed me. “For what?”
“For you to mention Jagger.”
The eyeliner paused. It was just for a second, but I caught it. Pip stepped back and set the pencil down and reached for a brow pencil.
“I’on know what you talking about,” she said airily.
I kissed my teeth. “Girl.”
“I don’t.”
I stared at her. She stared back, then looked away first. Epiphany Millerneverlooked away first. Yeah, this was serious. My gaze dropped automatically to her left hand.
The tanzanite ring was still there, the same ring Jagger Meriweather had put on her finger a year ago when she’d dragged him into one of her crazy schemes and accidentally ended up fake-engaged to the man who’d been in love with her for half her life. Everybody knew those feelings had stopped being fake somewhere along the way. Everybody except Pip. At least that’s what we’d all thought. Now, I wasn’t so sure.
“You still wearing it.”
Her eyes followed mine. A mix of emotions played across her face. I saw pain, longing, regret.
And love.
Damn.
“I know.”
