Chapter Nineteen
Rich
I grab my sister in a bear hug. “It’s good to see you.”
“Yeah, you, too.” She sinks into my arms and pats my back. Then, she punches me in the stomach.
“Fuck.” I blink and suck in a gulp of air. Shit. I stop breathing for a second. I should have never taught her to fight. “I deserved that.”
“Yes, you did.” She carries her overnight bag to the sofa and drops it with a thump on the couch. After she shifts her feet, she scans the room. “Lemon?”
“Tony sent his cleaning service over.”
“Tony?” Her shoulders stiffen. “Tony Timmerman?”
“Yes.”
Her eyes narrow into tiny slits. “How’s Mr. Wonderful?”
“He’s fine.” I study my sister. As much as she denies it, she’d been in love with my best friend since high school. But to the rest of the world, she puts off the mortal enemy vibe at the mere mention of his name.
“I heard he was back in town.”
“Yes.” I cross my arms. “What’re you doing here?”
“I have an interview at the hospital on Monday morning.”
“Are you serious?” I smile. God, I’ve missed her. When Jenna graduated from nursing school, she’d agreed to work in St. Paul for three years. “I thought you had a contract.”
Jenna slinks into the sofa. “I need to get away from there. I broke it off with Byron.” She’s been dating Byron Tomkins for several months.
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. He’s a lying manwhore, who hated that I put my career first.”
“Damn it, why didn’t you tell me?” I hadn’t liked the guy the second I met him, but I’ve put up with him for her sake. If the dude didn’t live two hours away, I’d find him and give him a piece of my mind– no one messes with my sister. Never have. Never will.
“It’s not a big deal. We weren’t having sex, so what does it matter?”
“He still shouldn’t have screwed you over.”
“Like you did, Chloe?”
“Hold up.” I lift my hands in defense. “I didn’t screw Chloe over.”
“What if she feels differently?”
“Does she?” My heart skips a beat. Does Chloe care about me? If she does, I’ll move heaven and earth to prove to her I can be a better man. Even though I’m not good enough for her, I love her, and it kills me not to be able to see her.
“Rich, she wouldn’t have had sex with you if she didn’t care. She’s twenty-three and never let anyone touch her. What does that say to you?”
“I don’t know.” My hands shake as I rake my hand through my hair.
“What do you want it to mean?” Jenna asks as she crosses one leg over the other.
“Everything. ”
“Then, tell her.” Jenna grabs her purse and shoves off the sofa. “Let’s go.”
“Now?”
“Yes, fucking now. Stop being a pussy and man up. If you want a future with Chloe – do something about it.”
“Shit.” I glance down at my clothes. “I should change.”
“Yes, you should. You look like a homeless man.”
As I head to my bedroom, I chuckle. Jenna had better be right. I can’t spend the rest of my life without Chloe in it.