Chapter Twenty-Six
Kiyah
Two Weeks Later
Loud whispering outside my bedroom door forced a groan out of me.
Tweedledee and Tweedledum were strategizing on how to convince me to leave the house.
It didn’t take long for the loud whispers to become offended scoffs.
Annoyed, I threw the cover back and slid out of bed.
The fussing stopped as soon as I swung the door open.
“Ew,” Nori said after taking one look at me. Despite my depression and sour mood, I smiled. Daisy reached out, fondled one of my dry curls, and frowned.
“Double ew.”
“When did you guys get back?”
“This morning,” Nori answered. “We got off the plane and came straight here to check on you.”
“You didn’t have to do that. I’m sure Uncle Ant has been foaming at the mouth, waiting for you to return.”
She shrugged nonchalantly. “I wouldn’t know—he’s blocked until tomorrow.”
My eyes widened. “Why did you block your dad?”
Daisy pushed past me and made a beeline for my closet.
“Because he was texting and calling throughout my entire honeymoon. What are you doing? Where did you eat? How is the weather? Do you need me to send you money? Send me a picture.”
“I bet you answered his text when he asked if you needed money.”
She snorted. “You’re damn right I did, and I spent it all on my lovely wife.”
“Screw you, Nori,” Daisy announced from the closet. Nori rolled her eyes and motioned in Daisy’s direction.
“You see how ungrateful women can be?”
“Ungrateful? You didn’t buy shit for me.”
“I bought you lingerie,” Nori argued, finally entering my bedroom.
“You spent twenty grand on lingerie for your pleasure.”
“Potato, potahtoh,” Nori said, blowing Daisy off.
“What do you think about this dress?” Daisy asked, showing off a dress in my closet that still had the price tag on it.
“I—”
“No, that’s not going to work. It’s not Easter morning.”
“Why are we looking at dresses?”
“We are looking for dresses because we’re taking you to lunch,” Daisy answered as she rifled through my wardrobe.
“I don’t want to go to lunch,” I protested.
“We don’t care what you want. We will not allow you to wither away in this room,” Nori said, sighing while rummaging through my jewelry box.
Noted.
“Have either of you heard from him?”
Daisy poked her head out of my closet and grinned. “Yes, we’ve spoken to your brother-husband.”
“How original,” I drawled.
“He sounds like he’s doing well—maybe not well, but optimistic now that he’s out of detox and in residential treatment. I still can’t believe we didn’t know he had a drinking problem all these years,” Nori commented.
“He asked about you, Kiyah,” Daisy said, making my heart leap in my chest. I willed it to calm down.
He probably wants to know if I’ve mailed those divorce papers to my lawyer, which I haven’t gotten around to yet, but I will.
“He wanted to know how you were doing because Dad won’t fill him in. He sounded disappointed when I told him we hadn’t spoken to you.”
“He wants you to call him,” Nori added.
I shook my head. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” she pressed with a frown.
“I don’t want to be the reason why his treatment derails.”
“If you think about it, he’s in the best place to fall off the rails,” Daisy mentioned. “He’d be forced to face his demons instead of numbing the pain with alcohol.”
“That’s true. But if he wants to talk to me, then he’ll have to be the one to pick up the phone and call.”
I felt heat pressed against my back, and arms wrapped around my midsection. “You’re so stubborn, Ki,” Nori said as she hugged me tightly. “I didn’t get to tell you seven years ago, but I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thanks, Nori,” I replied, choked up by her condolences.
“We wish we could’ve been there for you,” Daisy said, hugging me from the front. I placed my head on her shoulder and soaked up their sisterly love.
“You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”
* * *
“What are your plans now?” Daisy asked as she poorly snuck a shrimp off Nori’s plate.
I smiled wryly, shoveling lettuce and tomatoes around on my plate. “You sound like Mom and Dad. Is this what this little lunch is all about? Did they send you two to do their bidding?”
“No. It’s a valid question. What are your plans? You’re 28. It’s time for you to be an adult.”
Great. I’m getting chewed out by my younger sister.
“I agree. You can work for me,” Nori offered.
“I’m not into finance.”
“Well, fuck you too,” Nori replied with a crooked grin.
“Sorry, I don’t want to jump on the nepotism train and take a job from someone more qualified and passionate.”
“Spare us, Kiyah. We’re all Nepo babies, and you’re conveniently forgetting that had shit not hit the fan, you would’ve slid into the receptionist position at the firm,” Daisy commented.
“But the difference is that I’m passionate about law, have a degree in Political Science, and am qualified for the position.”
“Whatever makes you feel good,” Nori said, voluntarily sliding the remainder of her shrimp onto Daisy’s plate.
“Thank you, baby,” she whispered, leaning in for a kiss.
I averted my gaze as the two shared a moment.
Their honeymoon must’ve been what dreams were made of because they hadn’t stopped touching, kissing, and making googly eyes at each other since we left the house.
Despite the grief I felt over my failed marriage, I was over the moon for them.
I preferred the PDA over them constantly at each other’s throats.
“We just keep running into each other.”
My eyes snapped up, and I was stunned to see Governor Hopeful Branson and his perpetually wiggling son.
“We do. What are you doing in my neck of the woods?”
He switched Pete to his other arm and balanced his backpack on his shoulder. “Would you believe me if I told you I was at Emerald Hills enjoying a sumptuous ladies’ breakfast?”
My brows lifted to the top of my forehead. “You had breakfast with my grandmother?”
He chuckled warmly. “It was all business. I swear I’m not stalking you by trying to get close to your grandmother.”
I shook my head. “The thought didn’t even cross my mind. I can’t help but feel sorry for you. I’m sure she and her friends didn’t allow you to get a word in edgewise.”
“You’d be right,” he agreed with subtle laughter. “But part of being a good politician is being a good listener. The ladies invited me to Emerald Hills because they wanted their concerns heard. The election will be here before you know it.”
Daisy cleared her throat loudly.
“Excuse my rude behavior, Mrs. Powell. It’s lovely to see you again, and congratulations on your nuptials,” Todd said, greeting my sister politely.
“Thank you. This is my wife, Nori.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Nori. Daisy shared amazing things about you. I’d shake your hand, but—” he nodded towards Pete.
“Don’t worry about it. I have an idea; why don’t you join us?”
I glanced curiously at Nori, trying to catch her attention, but she wasn’t paying me any mind.
“Oh, I couldn’t. I’d hate to interrupt your meal.”
“Nonsense. There’s enough room for everyone, and I want to hear more about your ladies’ breakfast. Plus, I wish to address my own concerns, namely, property taxes.”
“Agreed. We’re paying taxes out the behind,” Daisy cosigned, minding her language around Pete.
“Are you okay with Pete and me crashing your lunch, Kiyah?” Todd questioned.
“Um, sure.” I scooted further into the booth, sliding my plate, silverware, and water with me. He’d barely sat when Pete leaped into my lap. “It’s nice to see you again, Pistol Pete.”
“I’m sorry about that,” he apologized, reaching for his son. I waved him off and situated Pete on my lap.
“It’s fine. I don’t mind.”
“Are you certain?”
“I got him. Plus, you’ll need to devote all your attention to my sisters. Good luck, and don’t underestimate the financier.”
He smiled broadly, nearly showing off all thirty-two perfect teeth.
“I think I can take her.”
I laughed softly and shook my head. “Godspeed, Mr. Branson.”
“It’s Todd,” he reminded me before focusing on my shark-in-the-water sisters.