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“I don’t know where you got the idea that he likes me,” I say, trying to keep my tone light. “He barely knows me.”
Starling snorts. “What? You’ve worked for him for years. And you spent every weekend over at his house in middle school. I remember because I was so jealous that you were big enough to have sleepovers. Mom said I had to wait until I was eight, but I was only four, and at that point, four years seemed like an eternity.”
I shrug. “That doesn’t mean he knows who I am now. He was kind to me as a kid and he’s been a great boss who appreciates my hard work, but that’s it. He isn’t really my friend, let alone anything more.”
Her brows pinch together. “What? I thought you had tea together every afternoon before you left work? And you’re so close with his family that they invite you to all their parties. If that’s not friendship, what is?”
“He didn’t know that I could dance,” I say softly. “He thought I was some kind of wallflower.”
Starling blinks. “Wow. That’s weird. You always tear up a dance floor.” She cocks her head. “But maybe he hasn’t been around you in a dance-friendly situation?”
“We’ve been to several of the same weddings and, like you said, his family’s parties. He didn’t know I was a good shot, either, or that I eat vegetarian sushi for lunch almost every day. It’s like he never paid any attention to me at all. Like he looked right through me and didn’t notice a thing.”
My sister’s frown deepens. “Okay, but was he trying to change his ways? Did he make an effort to remember things after you guys started hooking up?”
“I don’t want to talk about this, Starling,” I say with a sigh. “And I’m hungry. I haven’t had anything to eat since brunch.”
“Just answer the question and I’ll start cooking. I promise. I just want to be sure you’re not making a mistake. Christian has a reputation, you know. Apparently, he flat out tells women he’s only into monogamy in moderation and will most likely break up with them within two to three months. Who does that?”
My shoulders lift closer to my ears. “At least he’s honest. I respect that.”
Starling sticks out her tongue. “Gross. I don’t. Why do good-looking men always assume their peen is like the only water fountain at the park and we’re all dying to line up for a turn?”
“I’m sorry Tyson cheated on you, honey,” I say. “He’s a total dumbass.”
“This isn’t about Tyson. Or me,” she says, clearly not ready to talk about the breakup just yet. Starling loves to pump me for romantic information, but when it comes to relationships with the opposite sex, we’re both private people. “This is about you,” she continues, “and Dr. McGuire, who just might need a little help learning how to be a good boyfriend.”
“He left, okay?’ I say, realizing I have to give her something. “We were together, I went to pee, and by the time I came out of the bathroom, he was gone.”
“Without saying goodbye?” she asks.
“Or leaving a note or anything,” I confirm. “He didn’t text the next morning, either, and he was not dead on the side of the road. Or kidnapped by bandits. He was just fine. I drove by his house to make sure, and there he was in his kitchen drinking coffee and reading the paper. That’s when I decided it was time to get out of town for a while.”
“Wow.” Starling chews on her bottom lip for a beat. “And that was the first time you’ve seen him since?”
“First time I’ve seen him or spoken to him. He didn’t email or reach out in any way while I was gone.”
Starling grunts. “Well, poop.”
“Exactly,” I agree. “Now, can we cook?”
“I wanted him to be a genius doctor who adores you, but is just bad at romance,” she says. “But it looks like he’s a jerk. Just like his little brother.”
“He’s not a jerk,” I say, compelled to defend Barrett for some reason, even though I’m determined to move on and not get sucked into pining for him again. “I think he’s scared of getting involved again. His divorce was hard on him. Lane cheated for months before coming clean and he had no idea anything was wrong. It left him feeling on unsteady ground when it comes to dating.”
Starling’s features soften. “Ugh, I can empathize. I’ve never felt like such a fool. How could I have missed the signs with Tyson? In hindsight, they were everywhere.”
I give her arm a gentle squeeze. “Because you’re a good, trusting person. There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, I think it’s pretty brave.” I glance around the quiet kitchen. “Speaking of brave, where’s Kyle?”
“He was brave, right?” Starling says, perking up. “He was just trying to defend us from a big, loud man he perceived as a threat. He didn’t mean to be bad.”
