Page 36 of Rami

Gigi babbled the whole way home, giddy. “So,” Gigi said, as she came to a stop at a red light. “I’d like you to move into the guesthouse. I already talked to Todd and he thinks it’s a great idea. It’ll give you your own space and—”

“Gig—”

“Don’t. I want you close to me. Always. And you’re welcome to stay in the guest room as long as you’d like, but I know you’ll want your own space. Especially if you start seeing someone. Like, I dunno, Rami Mitry.”

Ivy guffawed. “Seriously?” Rami’s face popped into her mind and she dashed it away to the little compartment in her head. It was an image she took out only in desperate moments when she was ready to break down. Somehow, picturing his face gave her strength.

“He texted me, you know. Asked how you were doing.”

Hmm. He’d texted her sister but not her? Because he saw her as too fragile, probably. As appealing as it was to envision being held in Rami’s arms, she knew the fantasy was out of reach.

Scratch that.

She was too unstable, and he’d never be able to look at her as anything but a victim.

“So instead of our trip,” Gigi continued, dropping the whole Rami thing, “we’re going to get you all moved in.”

Ivy gasped. “Oh my god, I completely forgot about your wedding! You need to go to Colorado.” Gigi was getting married in September, and although she’d made a lot of the plans from afar, she needed to go to Colorado Springs to oversee some things in person. Ivy did a quick mental calculation—Gigi was supposed to leave tomorrow.

Her sister waved her off. “Don’t be ridiculous. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than helping you through this.”

“Gig, I’m fine. You’ve been looking forward to this trip for months. It’s for your wedding.”

“That was before. Besides. We can push back the wedding. I’m in no hurry.” But sadness clung to the words.

Ivy frowned. “You can’t push off your wedding. That makes no sense. Life has to stop for you because I’m back?”

Gigi flicked her an annoyed glare. The light changed, and she brought her attention back to the road. “Life stopped when you left, and supporting you right now is more important. I can get married anytime. Besides, who even needs to see the venue in person nowadays?”

“I dunno, a normal person.” Ivy laughed. “I want you to go. It’s only for a few days anyway.”

“Will you come with?” Gigi asked hopefully.

“No.” Getting on a plane and putting on a happy face for four days sounded like torture.

But Gigi’s talking about putting her life on hold had brought a new kind of anger to the surface. Defiance prickled Ivy’s insides.

She’d essentially already taken a hundred grand from Gigi and Todd. She’d taken a room in their house. She’d take everything they gave her while she got on her feet—while she waited to feel whole enough to work and support herself.

But she wouldn’t take this. Not from Gigi, who deserved every drop of happiness.

Ivy shrugged and leaned back in her seat. “And if you don’t go, then I’m not moving in.”

“What?” Gigi’s shrill scream made Ivy scrunch her left shoulder to her ear.

“You heard me. I’m not moving in unless you go to Colorado tomorrow.”

Gigi fumed. “There’s no way.”

Ivy gripped her sister’s arm. “Go. Please. I’m safe in your palace.”

Gigi snorted. “We’ll talk about this later. But, maybe...”

CHAPTER 11

Ring, ring, ring!

Rami glanced at his phone to see the name Gigi Hastings on the screen.

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