Page 64 of Forgive You

“It’s nothing.” She shakes her head, but her eyes still grow moist. “He just wasn’t happy when I moved to LA.”

I can only imagine. In fact, I think her dad had half a heart attack, since I was in shock to find her at NVS. “Why did you?” I ask carefully.

She’s good at making any deal. It doesn’t matter if it’s selling or buying a house, working with athletes or brands, hell, she could even become a sports agent, and she’d rock it.

But for as long as I’ve known her, she has always planned to join her father in real estate, and eventually, take over the business.

“I guess I needed a change.”

I don’t think it’s a lie, but I don’t believe she is telling me the full truth either.

“And real estate?”

Her insecure expression quickly turns into something fierce. “I didn’t wanna work with Jacob anymore. Working for another agency didn’t feel right.”

A dozen questions are flying around in my head just by that single comment.

Why didn’t you fire him?

Why is he still there and you’re not?

Did your dad pick him over you?

What does my brother have to do with anything?

What are you not telling me?

I drive into the parking lot for the beach, spotting Jordan standing next to his truck. He’s on his phone, surfboard next to him and ready to go.

“Jules?”

“Hmm?”

I park next to my brother, then put the car in park and turn to face her. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”

Her eyes tell me more than I can make sense of. There’s a spark of gratitude, a dash of wariness, a drop of determination, but I swear, mixed in it she stares back at me as if she’s telling me a story I don’t understand.

What am I missing?

She sighs. “Yeah, I know.”

I don’t believe her, but that's all I can do right now. Let her know I’m here.

Her freshly polished nails, orange to match her hoodie this time, grab the door handle and we both get out.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite sister-in-law.” Jordan welcomes her with a boyish grin and open arms, holding her close to his body while I pull my board from the top of my car.

“I’m not your sister-in-law anymore,” she murmurs, though it’s still loud enough for me to hear.

“Give it time.” Jordan winks, letting her go, and I roll my eyes at him in reply.

Does my heart do funny things when he says shit like that? Yeah, it does.

But we’ve just established a truce. I’m not stupid enough to go all in right away like last time.Baby steps. We’ve got all the time in the world.

With my board beside me, I take the bottle I had stuffed away in the corner pocket of my trunk, then push the bottom for it to close.

“Here.” Board tucked underneath one arm, I hold out the other to Julie.

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