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“Our favorite,” I agreed.
After passing a mug her way, I filled mine most of the way with coffee, adding enough creamer to change the color.
Sadie had already poured a generous amount of the creamer into her cup, nearly filling the mug halfway before adding coffee. Some things never changed. I couldn’t help snickering at the obscene amount of the Cinnabon concoction she used.
Years ago, when we used to live together and both attended college, we’d wake up every morning like this and share a pot before classes began. That was before she dropped out to pursue her acting career, as short-lived as it was.
My sister sat beside me in one of the four wooden chairs surrounding my tiny square dining room table. We both sipped on the coffee, gaining the caffeine we’d need for the heavy conversation I knew would be difficult to hear.
“Remember when we used to do this every morning?”
“I was just thinking about it,” I admitted, giving her a warm smile. “Some of my best memories. Just the two of us.”
“Yeah. Good times.” Her smile faltered a little. “I’m sorry I didn’t stick around.”
“Hey, I know. You don’t have to apologize.”
“But I want to, sis. You know staying in one place too long isn’t easy for me. I get antsy.”
“I think that’s putting it mildly,” I agreed.
She smirked at that comment. “The thing is, I tend to get lost sometimes.” She paused, staring at my kitchen with a frown. “When did you paint the walls this lemon-yellow color?”
Perfect example.
“Six months ago.”
“Damn. I guess I didn’t notice.”
She did on her last visit but didn’t remember.
“Well, it’s not important.”
Sadie shook her head. “No, it’s not.” She sighed softly, lifting her head to meet my curious gaze. “Do you remember when I told you I had a lot of important customers as my clientele?”
“At the DOLL Agency?” One of the more discreet escort companies in the Las Vegas area, the DOLL Agency offered companions to wealthy, high-profile clients. Men like politicians and CEOs of Fortune 500 companies who relished showing up to events and ritzy clubs with beautiful women on their arms.
I hated that my sister chose this profession because I knew for a fact that these men wanted more than a pretty face by their side for a few hours in public. These men had specific sexual appetites and solicited sex even if it was illegal. The thing was, prostitution was legal in ten of Nevada’s seventeen counties. They could pick up women whenever they wanted, but these men wanted the model-perfect figures and dazzling beauties the DOLL Agency boasted among their employees.
My sister was a glorified prostitute, but she didn’t see it that way. Sadie had more money in the bank than anyone I knew. The perks of her job were obvious—an expensive apartment in a secure building overlooking the city lights in Las Vegas with clear panes of glass exposing every breathtaking detail, more diamonds and jewelry than a Tiffany & Co retailer, a bright blue Corvette, and the luxury to sleep in every day, stopping for a manicure, pedicure, and any other spa service she wanted any day of the week.
Even with all those amenities, I couldn’t sleep with a man I didn’t have a connection with and felt some affection for. It wasn’t in my nature. Maybe Sadie could separate herself from that part of the business easier than I could. As far as I knew, she’d been an escort for three years and loved it.
“I sent you some money.”
Narrowing my eyes, I shook my head. “Sadie,” I began.
“I know what you’re gonna say. You always say the same thing. Doesn’t matter. I need you to take it.”
“Why?” I asked, suspicious of her innocent expression.
“So I know you’re taken care of. Don’t fight me on this. It’s already in your PayPal account. Refuse it, and I’ll keep sending you more.”
Ugh. “I’m not a charity case, Sadie.”
“No. You’re my sister, and I want to know that you’re okay when I’m not around. You don’t have enough food in your pantry or fridge.”
What did she do? Scope it out when I wasn’t paying attention?
