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“I’m glad. We’re really not a bad lot.” As soon as the smile formed, it faded. “I feel so bad for Sante, though.”
“It wasn’t an easy lesson,” I admitted. “But Renzo took your brother home with him. I think the two will talk. He’ll be a much better role model for Sante in the long run.”
“Yeah.” She peered innocently up at me, forest green lined with inky black lashes. “Do you think you can take me to see him tomorrow?”
Fuck, look at me like that, and I’ll take you to the goddamn moon.
“Yeah, we can do that.” I brought my lips to hers, slow but ardent. “Now, let’s get you dried off and dressed before you prune into nothing.”
“But you didn’t even wash up.”
“This wasn’t about me.” I gently smacked her ass and smirked. “Now, move.”
Two Weeks Later
“I need a drink,and you’re going with me,” Pip said in lieu of a greeting when I answered her call.
“Excuse me?” I replied, still processing her words.
“We haven’t had a girls’ night in almost ayear, sis. It’s time. And after everything that’s happened recently, we could both use some fun.”
“I suppose you’re in luck. I just talked to Sante, and I could use a drink myself.”
“Oh yeah? What’s my sweet cousin up to?”
I groaned. “He’s retracted his promise to stay in school. I think he’s doing pretty well, but I’m disappointed he won’t get his diploma.”
“He still staying with Renzo?”
“Yeah, but he’s signed a lease for an apartment, and our old house goes on the market next week.” It shouldn’t have bothered me because there was nothing at the house I wanted to keep. I’d gone over and taken everything of Mom’s that I wanted, but something about letting go of the past was still hard.
“He’ll be fine, Em. It’s not like he has to go out and find a job. As long as things are good between you two, that’s all that matters.”
I smiled, glancing down at the new bracelet he’d given me a couple of days ago. It was the exact same as the one he’d given me before, but this one readLittle Big. He’d been equally ready to cut ties with our father as I’d been once he’d heard what Dad had done. Sante struggled with his anger, but overall, our relationship was stronger than ever. “Yeah, we’re good. So about drinks. When and where were you thinking?”
“Tonight, and I don’t give a crap where so long as the vibe is right.”
“The vibe?” I ask, smiling.
“Yeah. I’m not talking chardonnay at a tapas bar. We’re goingout. To a club. Somewhere with music we can dance to and hot guys who will buy us drinks.”
“Uh, married over here, remember?” I held up my ring-clad hand even though she couldn’t see it through the phone.
“Whatever. You don’t have to sleep with them.”
I rolled my eyes. “Okay, let me check with Conner and get back to you.”
“And thatright thereis why I’m not interested in bossy men,” she groused out of nowhere. “Think they own everything they touch.”
Okaaay. Someone’s a little sensitive.
“Text you in a bit,” I said, keeping my thoughts to myself.
“Sounds good, but we’re going, whether he likes it or not.” Then she hung up. I had to laugh. My cousin was a little crazy, but she was also the best.
I walked back to Conner’s office, where he spent most afternoons until it was time to head into Bastion. It was a Friday afternoon, so he likely had plans to work. That was the only drawback about his business—weekends were peak hours of operation.
“Hey, you,” I greeted softly. “Mind if I interrupt for a minute?”
