Page 11

BIRDIE

“Birdie!” Liv hugs me with enthusiasm, and I’ve had just enough time to calm down to be able to return it. “Come in, come in.”

I’ve obviously been to Liv’s apartment before, but I can tell my brother has become quite comfortable. The changes are subtle, like the more masculine colors, and some statement furniture from his previous apartment, but it’s very much a home. It’s warm, cozy. Not exactly an atmosphere I imagined Harlan living in since he’s always been so fond of his bachelor status and didn’t care much for interior design. But this suits him. “Let me grab your coat,” Liv says. “Your brother is warming up our dinner. We ordered from this divine restaurant called La maîtresse, have you heard of it?”

I try my best to school my features because, yes, I’ve heard of it. It’s Rowland’s restaurant. Harlan knows that too, which means Liv wanted to order food from La maîtresse and Harlan couldn’t refuse. It’s like my past is determined to bite me in the ass. First it’s Ethan’s little treat game, and now I’m eating dinner from his best friend’s restaurant. At this rate, I’m going to need to start day drinking. And to think everything was just fine before Ethan returned to New York. Asshole.

“Harlan, your sister’s here!” Liv passes me, and stroles to her large, open concept kitchen where Harlan is dishing up food. He smiles when she hugs him from behind, moving her head so she can snatch a kiss. I can’t help but stare at my brother, happiness is a good look on him no matter how foreign. I often wondered if he’d ever find someone who could put up with his cantankerous personality, so when Liv came into the picture I was quite surprised.

“Hey, Bird.” Just like earlier today, he looks nervous.

I’m about to return his greeting when I notice the ring on Liv’s finger. And by ring I mean rock. That I didn’t see it as soon as I came in goes to show how tired and distracted I am.

“Oh my god,” I whisper. My hand goes to my mouth, my fingers trembling as I mentally curate the appropriate response. Which is happiness, glee, excitement and genuine shock. Because I want to cry more than I want to celebrate. But cue the applicable theatrics. “You’re engaged!” Is there a frog in my throat? There must be because now Harlan and Liv both look stunned, and not the right kind of stunned if you catch my drift.

“Oh, god,” Liv rushes to me. “Don’t cry!” She faces Harlan. “I told you you should have included her, Harlan.”

Shaking my head, I say, “No, no, no, these are happy tears!” Not really, but I’m selling this thing even if it kills me. “Congratulations!” I wipe my face, and hug Liv. “I-I’m so happy for you both!” She pulls away, a megawatt smile on her face, eyes glistening with her own tears. Harlan comes to join us, still in the damn foyer, and sadly, he’s not so easily fooled. But he won’t call me on it. Not yet. I give him a hug, and step back. “I can’t believe she said yes,” I tease, willing the tears to stop. I reach for Liv’s hand, and admire the cushion-cut canary yellow diamond set in a platinum band. It’s stunning. And expensive. Which means Harlan must have been planning it for quite some time. Truth be told, I am a little hurt that he didn’t include me but I have to hide those feelings. I’m not that sister, you know? I can put my own emotions aside and be excited for my brother and Liv. I can.

“You did good,” I say, dropping Liv’s hand and glancing at Harlan. His stare is probing, but I refuse to make this situation any more awkward. “So, are we celebrating or what?” I infuse as much pep into my voice as I can, and Harlan is the only one not buying it. But like I said, he won’t call me on it now.

Liv claps, and hops on the balls of her feet. “Yes! We’ve been dying to tell you for a few days now.” A few days? “Let me grab the champaign.” None the wiser, Liv skips her way to the kitchen, and I’m about to follow when Harlan stops me with a hand on my shoulder. “Bird, I’m sorry I didn’t—”

“Don’t.” He’s apologizing for not including me, but I’m at capacity as far as feigning my feelings is concerned. “You didn’t include me, and as much as it hurts, Harlan, I’m not going to rain on Liv’s parade, okay? I’m genuinely happy for you, just leave it at that.” I’m joining Liv in the kitchen before Harlan can say anything more, and within minutes we’re toasting my brother and Liv’s engagement while she regales me with every detail of how he proposed. I smile on cue, laugh on cue, and express every platitude one would when a loved one gets engaged. Harlan made an effort, that much is clear. He just didn’t include me. It’s after dinner when Harlan says, “I looked into some other stores for you, and there’s only one space that could work but it’s not available for sale.”

Ugh. I forgot to send Harlan’s assistant, Penny, my financials. But Harlan took initiate anyway. I take another sip of the wine Liv opened, and another. “Then I stay where I am.”

“I didn’t say it wasn’t an option, Birdie. I said it’s not for sale. Though, even if it was, I doubt you’d take it. On principle alone.”

My brows furrow. At least I think they do. It’s a little hard to tell when I’ve consumed enough alcohol to make my face numb. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Ethan owns it,” Harlan replies, swirling the very expensive scotch in his glass. An engagement gift from Penny, who probably knew about this before I did. Great. That makes me feel way better. “That’s what I mean.”

Huh. Talk about a fucking plot twist to my horrendous day. I down my wine, and reply, “You’re right. I wouldn’t look at it.” On principle alone.

“Which is why I contacted Ethan myself.” Harlan finishes his scotch, and watches me. “He’s willing to negotiate a deal.”

“What kind of deal?” I’m asking out of pure curiosity, of course. Accepting a deal with him would be like signing a life-time contract with the devil. For my soul.

Harlan shrugs, resting his arm around Liv’s shoulders. “I don’t know. He said he’d only negotiate with you.”

Liv looks between us. “Okay, now I need to know what this Ethan guy did because the way you two talk about him, it’s like he broke Birdie’s heart or something.” She laughs, and it’s so quiet between me and Harlan that Liv’s light laughter competes with the sound of…crickets. “Oh.” Her face flushes, and she looks at Harlan. “You didn’t tell me.”

“Not exactly my story to tell, babe,” he replies, gentling his tone. Thank the Pope for small mercies, I’m positive I would have lost my mind if Harlan disclosed my personal history with Ethan to Liv, fiancé or not.

“I’m surprised you contacted him at all. You almost killed him before he left for France.” Not an exaggeration. Harlan beat the shit out of Ethan when he found me on the floor of my bathroom, crying like the world was ending. In some ways, my world did end that day. Well, the way I knew it to be at least.

Liv’s eyes widen, and Harlan clears his throat. “Trust me, calling that bastard was harder than I though it would be, and for the record, I have zero regrets about kicking his ass. He deserved it.”

“Then you can understand why I wouldn’t enter into any kind of deal with him,” I huff. “I’ll just have to make it work at the café, and hope something comes available in the new year.” To steer the conversation away from Ethan and my café, I ask Liv, “Have you thought about dates yet?”

It’s a pretty affective tactic, however short-lived it may be. The bit of information Liv gives me entails the name of her wedding planner, who is one of the most sought after wedding co-ordinators in the city. It all adds to the bitter taste in my mouth. They’ve been engaged long enough to pick a wedding planner, but didn’t think to tell me sooner. It doesn’t take me long to reach my threshold, and I ignore the contrition onHarlan and Liv’s faces when I stand, and say, “I’m going home now. Congratulations again.” Harlan insists on accompanying me to the lobby, probably to ask what’s really going on. I don’t have it in me to tell him I don’t want him to, that I’d rather be left the fuck alone until I’m in a better frame of mind. Liv hugs me tight before letting me go. “Thank you for celebrating with us, Birdie.”

“Of course. I’m happy for you. Both of you.”

Harlan kisses her cheek, murmurs, “I’ll be right back,” and ushers me to the door. When I glance back, Liv’s expression is a mixture of understanding and guilt. Harlan only speaks when we’re in the lobby, making for an awkward elevator trip.

“Bird,” he pulls his hands through his hair, “I should have included you in…” he waves his hand towards the elevator. “I was just so excited, and freaked out, and…” He trails off, and I don’t bother filling the air with an it’s okay or a don’t worry about it.