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CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Laura
“Olivia, don’tcry, please.” Ipulled her to me, stopping her from throwing shirts and jeans into her bag while rivers of tears flowed down her red cheeks. “Come on, you’re breaking my heart.”
Our three weeks together ended quickly, almost too quickly. We had three midweek weddings, four weekend ones, and on top of that, aton of editing and handcrafting photo albums.
Itaught Olivia how to organize her time right, how to handle clients, how to find solutions so they’dbe happy. She perfected her job as my assistant, and Ihad to admit, Iactually enjoyed having the company while Iworked, especially that of my sister.
Then Sunday night rolled around. Olivia’sreturn home became areal thing, and Ihad to fight everything in me not to agree to her pleas to stay for afew more days. Iconsoled her when she cried and offered my lousy version of acompromise, to accompany her on her trip home.
Besides, Ipromised to back her up and confront them about her career choice. Even though she’dbe eighteen, it’dbe nice for her to not spend the last year at home under their constant pressure.
She returned the hug, her tears soaking through my shirt. “Idon’twant to go back. Why can’tIstay here and be your assistant for the rest of the summer?”
“Because…” Iheld her shoulders and drew back. “As much as Ilove having you here, you have to graduate. You have your reading materials and summer assignments and you can’tdo them here.”
“That sucks.” After wiping her tears angrily, she tossed the remaining clothes in the bag and zipped it shut. “They’re going to give me shit, Ijust know it.”
Igave up on language-ing her, not with that gut-wrenching frown on her face. She reminded me of myself nearly adecade ago. She wasn’texaggerating either. Mom and Dad had been quiet for the past few weeks, meaning they’dbeen preparing to tell her everything they thought of her decision in person.
“Iwon’tlet them hurt you.” Itook her hand in both of mine, tightening my hold. “You’re not alone, ever.”
“Thanks.” She sniffed.
Sounds of the lock being picked came from the door, followed by the doorbell ringing.
“Zach!” Olivia’seyebrows shot up.
“Zach what?”
“Oh! Did Iforget to mention Zach’staking us?”
“No!” Igasped, finding it hard to believe she’ddo this. Scratch that. Ibelieved she could’ve done it, though Inever thought she would.
“Itexted him last night and he said yes.” She leaped on me, squishing me with everything she had. “Please don’tbe mad. Ididn’twant you to have to go the whole ride back on the bus alone.”
The bell rang the second time. Iseparated myself from her, unable to stay mad at my sister. Her heart was in the right place. And also, Iloved that they bonded. Itrusted Zach to be adecent role model for her, and she could’ve used the positive reinforcement.
Zach held his finger an inch from the doorbell ready to ring once more when Iopened it. He paused, his eyes the only part of him that was moving as he admired me in my old pajamas. My very short and see-through pajamas.
Instead of growing self-conscious under his appreciative glare, Itook him in. His navy-blue slacks, white dress shirt, his day-old scruff…
Wait…“Shit!” Iyelled, then clamped my mouth shut with my hand.
“Heard it,” Olivia yelled back from the room.
Iignored her, focusing on Zach. “It’sMonday.”
“And…?”
For an extremely intelligent guy, Ihad to explain to him ashitload of basic things. “It’saworkday. Why aren’tyou, you know, at work?”
“And yet I’mhere.” Aslow smile spread across his face. “Can Icome in?”
“Yes, but—” Iworried my bottom lip, letting him inside. “I’mso sorry she asked you to take us. You can still back out, no harm done.”
“Iwon’t. Just came back from work, and I’ll catch up on the rest later.” He pointed at his messenger bag, then placed it on one of the stools.
