6. Sebastian #2
I adjusted my grip on the steering wheel. "I have a lot on my mind. Work has been demanding."
"It's not about work. It's about Aria."
"Evie…"
"Do you hate her?"
The question landed like a punch. I kept my eyes on the road.
"No."
"But you don’t like her. It’s pretty obvious."
I didn’t respond. The cab in front of me slammed its brakes for no apparent reason. I stopped short, jaw tight.
"She asked about you," Evie said quietly.
My eyes flicked to the mirror. "What?"
"Last week. She asked what you were like at home. Whether you were always so..." She paused. "Stiff."
"And what did you tell her?"
"The truth. I think she's curious about you," Evie added before I could ask what her version of the truth was. "She pretends she's not, but she asks little questions sometimes. About our family. About what you do."
"Your Gigi wants you at her birthday dinner," I said in an attempt to divert the conversation from Aria. "It’s next Thursday."
"Do I have to go?"
My eyes were on the road, but I could practically hear the frown in her voice. "You don't enjoy these dinners."
"Nobody enjoys these dinners. Except maybe Uncle Xavier, because he’s everyone’s favorite. The last time I went, she spent twenty minutes asking why I wasn't in ballet anymore. And then she told me I was holding my fork wrong."
"She's traditional."
"She doesn’t like me."
"Evie."
"She doesn’t, Dad. She spends all her time with Uncle Xavier or with Grandma. Only Auntie Isabelle speaks to me." Evie's voice had gone quiet. "I don’t want to be there. But if I have to, I will."
I hadn’t expected her to be so open about her reluctance to attend the dinner. I’d expected hesitance or subtle whining, but not this. I glanced at Evie. She was indeed frowning. I wanted to do right by her. Maybe this was the small step that would take our relationship to where it needed to be.
"I'll tell her you have a prior commitment," I said.
Evie's eyes widened. "Really?"
"The foundation is hosting an auction soon, isn't it? I'm sure they need volunteers to prepare."
"They do, but…" She stopped. Stared at me. "You're lying to Gigi. For me."
"I'm prioritizing your wellbeing."
"By lying to Grandmother."
I suppressed a grin. "The two aren't mutually exclusive."
"Dad. That's... that's actually kind of cool."
"Don't get used to it. I don’t want you picking that up from me."
"Too late. You're secretly a rebel. I'm telling Aunt Isabelle."
"You will do no such thing."
"She's going to love this."
I caught myself almost smiling. Bit it back. We drove in silence for a few blocks, but it was a different silence from before.
"Dad?" Evie's voice was softer now.
"Yes?"
"Thanks."
I arrived at 3:55 on Friday. Early again, but not absurdly so. I'd calibrated it carefully, close enough to pick up time that waiting wouldn't seem strange, far enough that I wasn't obviously eager.
Eager for what, I didn't examine.
The foundation was busier than usual. Through the glass, I could see tables set up, displays being arranged, and people moving with purpose. Preparations for the auction. The event was next week.
My phone buzzed. I looked down to see Xavier’s name flash across the screen. I ignored it. It buzzed again. And again.
I picked it up. "What."
"Is that any way to greet your favorite brother?"
"You're my only brother."
"Which makes me your favorite by default. I need a favor."
"No."
"You haven't even heard what it is."
"I don't need to hear it. The answer is no."
Xavier laughed. "Come on, Seb. It's nothing major. I just need you to put in a good word with Grandmother. She's threatening to cut my allowance again."
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "You're twenty-eight years old. You shouldn't have an allowance."
"And yet I do, which means I need it to continue. Just tell her I've been... I don't know, mentoring underprivileged youth or something. She loves that stuff."
"You want me to lie to Grandmother."
"I prefer 'creative truth-telling.' Besides, you're already lying to her about Evie missing the dinner. Don't think I haven't heard."
I closed my eyes. Isabelle. Of course, Evie had told her.
"That's different."
"How?"
"Evie deserves protection. You’re way too old to be under my care."
"Harsh." Xavier didn't sound offended. He never did. "Fine, don't help me. I'll figure something out. I always do."
"That's what worries me."
"Love you too, brother." He hung up.
I sat in the silence of the car. Through the windshield, I could see a woman in the foundation's main room, directing volunteers. Dark hair. Confident posture. Not Aria. Someone else. I should wait in the car.
I got out of the car.
The front door stuck slightly when I pushed it. The main room smelled like coffee and sugar. Someone had brought pastries, boxes of them stacked on a side table. Volunteers milled around, sorting flyers, inflating balloons.
My eyes instantly searched for Aria Kealoha. They didn’t find her.
Priya spotted me from across the room. She crossed toward me with the particular stride of someone who had dealt with enough difficult people and about to handle one more.
"Mr. Dubois. You're early."
"Traffic was light." I wanted to smack myself. I really needed to get a better line. That one was old and they probably all knew it was a lie.
"Mm." She clearly didn't believe me. "Evie's in the back. They're finishing up a project."
"I'll wait here."
"Suit yourself." She started to turn away, then paused. "Actually, you might want to check on them. There was some kind of... situation."
"What kind of situation?"
"Nothing major. Just a visitor who got a little intense. Aria handled it, but…" She shrugged. "Evie seemed shaken."
I was moving before she finished the sentence.