Still, I would never say no to spending time with my sister. I feel guilty enough for leaving her behind. Even if it’s only for the time being.
“What’s new with you, Tee? I miss you so much,” I say, when we sit down after we get our orders.
I might not enjoy the timing of her visit, but it’s great to see her.
Taller than me, she has a paler complexion, and her dark hair is blow-dried into beautiful waves. She is the perfect daughter our dad wants. Not yet rebelling. Perhaps she’d never have to.
She licks the cream from her iced drink. “I kissed a guy.” Her eyes full of mischief, she looks around as if someone could overhear us.
One of Father’s men stands casually in the corner, and while he’s not listening, I know it always feels like it.
“You did? Who? When?”
Glad she is stealing these moments of normality for herself, I push aside my motherly need to lecture and protect her. I will research the poor bastard as soon as I get back to work.
“Papa was away, so I snuck out to a party.”
My heart stops and restarts. “You went to a party without your security? Behind everyone’s back?”
“Chill, Ro, you’re living in Manhattan without security. And how else am I to go to a party if not behind everyone’s back?” She rolls her eyes.
She’s the only person who can call me Ro.
I breathe in and out, not sure how to navigate this.
“Come on, don’t tell me you never did that,” she huffs.
Fair enough. Though the only time I did that, the boy almost lost his hand when Rowan, my oldest brother, caught us. I’m not sharing that gory story with Tee.
“Okay, but don’t make it a habit.” I take a sip. “Tell me about the kiss.”
She scrunches her nose. “It was wet and weird, I guess. I’m not sure what the fuss is.”
I hide my smile behind my cup. “The first time can be awkward.”
“Maybe I’ll try it with a girl next time.”
“Just be careful. Don’t do anything you don’t feel comfortable with, okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, I might be eager to leave the golden cage, but frankly, the world out there feels a bit scary.” She closes her mouth around the straw and takes a loud sip, the slurping sound making me wince. “What about you? Are you dating anyone?”
“I don’t have time for that,” I say, but heat spreads through my cheeks.
Her eyes widen. “There is someone.” She claps her hands. “Let me live through you vicariously. Please. Pretty please,” she sing-songs and bats her lashes.
I laugh. “Nothing to tell. It’s not serious. In fact, it’s already over. Listen, Tee, I will become a partner soon, and then you will move in with me.”
She smiles, already skeptical about the option. Already resigned to the destiny written by our father’s needs.
“It would be nice,” she says, but I sense she doesn’t believe the possibility. “I’m trying to talk Papa into letting me spend a weekend with you. I need to lose my virginity.”
I almost spit my drink. “What the hell, Tee? First, there is no way Father will let you stay for the weekend. Second, you don’t just… How would that even work?”
She shrugs. “We would go out. You’ll be my wing-woman, and I’ll find myself a willing participant.”
I sigh, wanting to protest, but I know that at the moment, this might seem the only way for her. “Your first time should be special.”
“Special is for normal girls with normal families who spend March breaks in Florida. I need to plan something as quickly as possible.”
