Page 35 of The Acquisition

"But you're going to do it anyway like the giant busybody you are."

I smirked at her. "See how well you know me? Jana and Malcolm dated in high school. I know she wouldn't want to come between you and a friend, but I can't see her being comfortable being around him as often as the two of you hang out."

Her back hit the chair, and I knew some of the fight was escaping her. "I didn't know. I never kept track of his girlfriends. We didn't go to the same school, and anyway, he's a couple years older. What are you suggesting?"

"I'm going to offer to let her move back into my apartment."

Her eyes narrowed. "You're up to something."

"Believe what you want. Also, Waverly emailed and told me she's coming back from Europe. She's going to need a place to live. She's tired of living at home with the parents."

"I got the same email. I don't think she's going to want to live in my building though, and before you suggest it, I'm not letting you buy me an apartment."

I knew she was going to say that. "I'll buy her furniture then, and I don't think she's going to fight it. In fact, she needs to learn from you. She's been coasting by as an heiress for far too long, and she needs to learn to be more self-sufficient."

"If you say so. She's going to hate it," Sabrina replied.

"Maybe, but my father wants me to stop giving her money. She's got a trust fund, but it hardly meets the amount of money she's used to spending."

"That's because your father is shit with money and has spent himself down a tax bracket. Old money doesn't last forever if nothing new ever goes into the bank."

"Exactly. She's going to be pissy, but I've got a daughter and a grandchild on the way." Hopefully more children to follow, but I kept that part to myself. Jana didn't even believe how real I planned our marriage to be. That was a conversation for another time.

"My point," I picked up from where my mind wandered, "is that I am not willing to continue to support my sister, who is the same age as my daughter. If my daughter can make it on her own, then my sister certainly needs to."

"If you say so," Sabrina muttered.

"I thought the two of you were close."

"We are, or at least we were. And don't give me that look. It isn't Malcolm that caused a divide, but Waverly has a sense of entitlement I don't understand. I agree with you. She needs to learn some self-reliance, just don't expect her to thank you for it any time soon."

"I don't, but it doesn't mean it isn't what's best for her. Your stubbornness is actually something I'm the proudest of you for. You've always demanded to work for what you have. I've never met anyone worse at accepting gifts than you."

"Thank you?" She said like it was a question. "So, who's going to tell Jana she's going to be living with you?"

I waved my hand, dismissing her question. "I spoke to her about it last night. I gather Malcolm approached her wanting to hash out the past, and Jana would very much like to leave it behind her. I told her the room was still available, and her only concern is you."

Sabrina smiled. "That's really sweet of her. I'll talk to her and tell her it's fine."

She stood and moved toward the door. "Unless you had something else you wanted to talk about, you've got a meeting in fifteen minutes with the legal department about the automotive deal in Germany."

"I better get back to making more money." I gathered my laptop and focused on work for the rest of the day.

THIRTEEN

JANA

"Why didn't you tell me you used to date Malcolm?" Sabrina asked, causing me to jump.

"You scared the shit out of me." I sighed. "I guess you talked to Colt?"

She nodded. "You should have told me. It's okay if you want to move back in with Colt. I mean, I was looking forward to girls' nights in and stuff, but I know Mal can be an asshole. He and I are just friends, so I've seen another side of him, but I also saw the way he treated my sister, so I do understand."

"I'm sorry. I should have told you. I was going to, but I don't want to come in between your friendship. I'm not hung up on him or anything, but he keeps trying to rehash old news, and some things are better left in the past. We can still have girls' nights."

"Honestly, I should have figured it out. You disliked him too much not to have dated him. I haven't met a single one of his exes that doesn't wish him an eternity in the pits of hell. I'm going to hold you to girls' nights." Sabrina exhales loudly. "I guess this means I'm going to be rooming with Waverly."

My brow furrowed. "I thought you were close?"

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