Page 43 of Marrying Off My Husband

“What happened?” I asked.

“Nothing,” she answered. “That’s the problem.”

I creased my forehead, trying to follow the cryptic conversation. “Okay.”

Audrey snapped her fingers in my face, sending my muscles stiffening as I leaned away from her. “Keep up, Eve. I broke up with Steve, remember?”

“I do remember,” I said, annoyance creeping into my voice. “I just…didn’t know that’s what we were talking about. You have to preface your vague remarks.”

Audrey rolled her eyes at me as she sipped her tea. “Sorry, I forgot that your life is so exciting you can’t remember what’s happening in mine.”

I held back heaving a sigh as I forced myself to ask, “So, nothing is happening with Steve? Isn’t that…a given since you broke up.”

Audrey slapped a hand on the table. “Think, Eve. Somethingshouldbe happening. It’s been two days. He should have been crawling back to my door on his hands and knees by now.”

“Oh, right.”

“Sorry, I forgot you don’t even get second dates let alone guys crawling back after you kick them to the curb.”

I lowered my eyes to my teacup, the biting remark cutting a little too close to my heart.

“Oh, stop being so sensitive. You can’t even joke around you.”

I snapped my gaze back up, defending myself. “I’m not being sensitive. I’m just…I was waiting for you to continue the story.”

I was being sensitive, but my sister didn’t have any patience for my sensitivity. I still recalled when we were kids, I’d found a dead bird in our yard, crying over the poor thing.

My sister had kicked its body under a pine tree. “It’s just a stupid bird, Eve.”

“Don’t kick it!” I cried.

“Get over it, Eve. There’s a lot worse that’s going to happen to you in life.”

She’d then shoved me to the ground and got in trouble. My parents had told her I was sensitive, but she’d shot back that I was stupid and should grow up.

“Well, there is no story.”

“Maybe you should call him,” I suggested with a shrug.

She shook her head at me. “I don’t know why I come here. You have useless advice. It would help if you ever had even one successful relationship.”

“I’m sorry my dating experiences aren’t up to snuff to help you with Steve.” I shifted in my seat, wishing my sister would go away and leave me to my own problems. I certainly had enough of them ever since I’d been plunged into the wild world of Louise Montgomery-Whitaker.

My sister sipped her tea again before her features pinched. “Oh, wait…you had a date. That crazy redhead said you were dating someone. Judging by the way you’re acting, I’d say it’s already a bust, huh?”

My jaw clenched as I stared into my tea. “It wasn’t a bust. We’re seeing each other again today.”

The shock on my sister’s features was obvious, making me annoyed. “You have a second date with this guy? What’s his name again?”

“Nothing, his name is nothing.” I didn’t want her to know who I was dating. The last time I’d shared that information, she’d stolen away the man I’d been interested in.

“Seriously? You’re going to tell your big sister who you’re dating? What if this guy is a murderer, and I need to tell the police who may have killed you?”

“He’s not going to kill me. He’s just–”

Another knock sounded at the door, interrupting my statement. “Sorry,” I said as I rose and left the kitchen behind,taking the opportunity to suck in a steadying breath as I crossed to the door.

Pulling it open, I found Louise on the other side with a grin. Given my sister’s presence, I was glad to see her.

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