Page 25 of Lose You Twice

“It’s not a big deal.”

“You two literally used to be all over each other. Often.”

I close my eyes. “Can we not do this? You were literally a child when we started dating.”

“I had ears. And a very thin bedroom wall.”

I roll my eyes. “That seems unfortunate.”

“And eyes.” He fakes a gagging sound.

“Sounds even worse.”

He shudders. “It was.”

I wad up a piece of paper from my notebook and chuck it at him. He ducks, laughing. “I’m just saying, sis. I don’t want to see you hurt again.”

I’m caught off guard by his words and can’t seem to form any of my own.

I wasn’t aware that anyone in my family knew how broken I was when Kai disappeared from my life. I didn’t let it show, at least not where anyone could see.

I did my crying privately, quietly. I thought if I could fake that I was actually okay, it would make the gaping hole in my chest hurt less.

Spoiler: it did not.

Holden’s teasing fades. “You don’t have to apply for that one.”

I look at the screen again.

Flexible hours. Immediate start.

I think about the financial aid office. The red letters on the bills. Mom’s face this morning when she said I had my own life. Holden’s twenty-three dollars folded under an old receipt.

“I kind of do,” I say.

His jaw tightens. “Wren⁠—”

“It’s fine.”

“You say that when things are anything but fine.”

I look over at him, and for a second, he doesn’t look sixteen. He looks older in a way that makes me want to break something.

I soften my voice. “It’s just a job.”

“With your ex. Who you avoid like the plague. So much so that you fled the country.”

I shrug, trying to play it off like it’s no big deal. “Lots of people work with their exes.”

“Name three.”

“Celebrities.”

He stares at me.

“Divorced real estate agents,” I add.

“Wow. Great point.”