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“I’m sorry I haven’t been around much,” I offered, making myself busy by cleaning my cup.
“I’ve been tired,” she murmured.
“I’ve been busy,” I spouted at the same time. I gave her a small smile.
“Let’s go,” I said, ushering her into the garage. Amber rounded my Mercedes and got in without a word.
“Starting tomorrow, you will work at Scott Solutions. I’m sending you to Human Resources, so they can assess your skills. Your best bet at getting Joseph back is having a job and a stable place to live, right?”
“Right,” she agreed absently as she looked around the cabin.
“I can give you enough money to get you started in a place of your own. Depending on your salary, we will find something,” I rambled on nervously.
“How much is this lawyer going to cost?”
“Do you really care, Amber?” I said, rolling my eyes as I took the downtown streets toward Scott Solutions.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you know I have enough money to pay for your lawyer, and I’m not expecting to be paid back.”
“Well, that’s up to me, now, isn’t it?” she snapped.
Taking a deep breath, I looked over at her as I slowed at a light. “Do you really intend to stay here when you get your son back?”
“Yes,” she replied tightly as she looked out the window.
“Look, I just wanted to know you again, to make sure you were okay. You don’t have to do things my way. I just—”
“Things are fucking fantastic, sis, thanks for asking.” I took a long look at the thin ghost of my past in the passenger seat. She winced under my scrutiny. “Shit, Taylor. I’m sorry.”
“No, Amber, I’m sorry. I should have come sooner . . . but why didn’t you show up when I came for you?”
She let her eyes drift down my tailored suit. “I was still angry with you for leaving. I was scared Momma would catch me. I was just . . . scared, period.”
I nodded, knowing she was telling the truth. The state I had seen our mother in when I had attempted to come back for Amber was downright terrifying. Still, I pressed on.
“And you didn’t think to leave? Ever?”
“I’m not like you, Taylor. I just can’t leave everyone I care about.” I gestured to the parking attendant as we exited the Mercedes, our conversation paused as we entered the elevator.
We rode up in silence, an uncomfortable and expectant air between us until I spoke up. “I did come back . . . for you.”
She bit her lip around her words. “I know.”
When the elevator opened, we were met by Nina and her brother, Aaron, who took one look at us both and smiled deeply. “Hello,” he said directly to Amber.
“Hello,” Nina repeated, her smile just as welcoming.
“Nina, Aaron,” I introduced, “this is my sister, Amber. Nina is my partner, and Aaron is her brother. He’s visiting from Florida.”
“Just moved here, actually. Nice to meet you,” Aaron said, sticking out his hand to take Amber’s. She hesitated briefly and took his with a small smile.
“Sister,” Nina said, widening her eyes at me. I flicked my hand at her as if to say I would explain later while Aaron made small talk and Amber gave polite replies.
“Well,” I interrupted, “we have a meeting in five.”
“Nice to meet you. I’ll be around if you need a tour guide. Taylor knows how to reach me,” Aaron offered, giving Amber a lingering glance.
