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“In my defense,” I say, leaning a bit into David. He’s tense, and I mentally scold him for not being a better liar. “Lewis, youwereM.I.A. the last few weeks.”
“So this is new?” Jessi asks.
“New… ish.” David says. Her eyes narrow. Lewis furrows his brow. The kids shift, bored now. I feel ill. “Anyway, you’re back early!”
“We missed you, Daddy!” Angie says.
David and Jessi laugh. Even Lewis cracks a smile.
The tension is still there, but it’s significantly dampened by Angie’s infectious smile. She and Benjamin come closer to hug their dad, and I slip out of the way.
Lewis waves me over.
He points to the corner of the office, where Piper’s desk is. The loving family goes to the other end, by David’s desk, for Jessi to show David the photos they took on vacation.
My brother gives me the same look he gave me when I broke our mom’s salad bowl in 1996. I feel just as sick with worry.
“Laura, what were youthinking?” he demands, his voice harsh and wavering.
Even though he has a pretty solid point there, his tone makes my skin itch. I bristle, annoyed. “I’m thinking that my relationships are none of your business.”
“He’s twice your fucking age,” Lewis hisses.
“I am aware.”
“He’s your boss!” Lewis throws his hands up. “He’smyboss.”
“And apparently, your good buddy,” I snap. “If you weren’t friends with him, it wouldn’t matter he’s your boss! Why didn’t you tell me you were friends with the boss?”
“Why would I have?”
I glare at him. “Maybe because you dating the boss’ wife is atleastas big of a deal as me datinghim.”
“It is not,” Lewis scoffs. “And she’s his ex-wife.”
“Dude.”
“Dude.”
“Ugh!” I push his shoulder lightly. “I am so annoyed. You are so annoying.”
Lewis looks at me with an incredulous expression. “Me!? Sister of mine, you are making a huge mistake.”
“We… love each other?” I really wish my words hadn’t turned up at the end.
Lewis looks at me like I’ve grown a head. “First of all, I doubt that,” he says. “And second of all, who cares? What are you doing? This is your career.”
“It’s… a bit late for that.”
That, at least, is very true.
I look over at David. He’s holding Angie on his hip.
“I’m… so fucking worried about you, dude,” Lewis says with a sigh.
I bite the inside of my cheek. “I didn’t know you’d know,” I tell him.
Lewis runs his hands over his face. “That is, like, the least awful part of this,” he grumbles into his palms. “The boss, the age, the power imbalance, the?—”
