Page 6 of Sweet Nothings

“What’s wrong?” I ask her, my stomach turning. I’m not sure if it’s the unease in her expression or from the lack of food in my stomach.

“Nothing.” She doesn’t blink. “Just going over this sketch in my head I’ve been working on for the museum. It’s due next week and it looks like shit. I’m anxious about it, that’s all.”

“I doubt it looks like shit.”

When Roe started Harvard eight years ago, she was on track to follow in our family’s footsteps. Graduate from Harvard Law and become a partner in our uncle’s firm. But in her third year, she changed her mind. Out of the blue, she switched her major to art, claiming to follow her true passion.

Our uncle was shocked. I, however, was not. Roe always blazed her own trail.

I stuck to my plan and enrolled with Harvard Law. Predictable. Having just graduated, I’ve been interning with our uncle at the Branford Law Firm, located three floors below James Harding and his coveted business, Harding Holdings. Our family’s unofficial rival, competing for the city’s attention.

I’ve never been adventurous or a risk taker. The last time I allowed myself to break out my comfort zone, it bit me in the ass.

“I doubt anyone will notice we’re gone.” I can’t drop the idea of escaping this funeral. The prospect of seeinghimagain has my stomach wobbling with nausea as rough as the time our father took us out on our yacht the summer I was ten. Being around the Hardings, knowing our family’s distaste for them, has made it difficult. And being around one of them in particular has become practically near impossible.

“Yes, they will,” Roe says, unamused, pulling me from my thoughts.

“They’ll probably notice you being gone. Not me.”

“Come on, Laurel.” There’s an edge to her voice that wasn’t there before. “Don’t start that shit.”

“I’m not starting anything. I’m just saying everyone always noticed you over me... or Mom.”

“Not true,” she says, her voice growing smaller. “At least not the part about me. Everyone always noticed Mom over anyone else.”

My throat swells, and pressure builds behind my eyes. Losing her three years ago was the worst pain imaginable. Facing that I was going to spend the rest of my life never seeing her smile again, or the way red highlights popped in the strands of her chestnut brown hair when she stood under the sun has been a difficult pill to swallow. Losing her and our father in a sudden mountain climbing accident was the first tear in the fabric of our family. Now there’s a large gaping hole that is past the point of repair. I’m convinced the grief will never fade.

“Okay,” Roe persists. “Well, you can’t stay standing over here with me all day. Maybe we can find you a date or something. Someone to talk to.” She rises on her toes and cranes her neck. She’s hunting, searching for anyone who catches her eye.

“Gross.” I scowl. “Are you seriously trying to set me up at a funeral?”

She lifts one shoulder, rocking back on her heels. “I mean, it doesn’t hurt to keep an eye out.”

“I don’t need anyone.” I sigh heavily. “I don’t think this setting is appropriate for finding a date. It’s weird. Besides, there’s no one here I’m interested in.”

“I’m just saying it wouldn’t hurt if you found someone you were into for longer than six months. Just when I think you’ve found the right man, you break it off with him. I can’t keep up…” She trails off.

I jerk back, the sting of the direction in conversation hitting me harder than expected. “Ouch.”

“I’m sorry.” She pinches the bridge of her nose and rests her hand on my arm. Her eyes flutter open and she looks at me sympathetically. “That was a real bitchy thing to say.”

“You’re right. That was pretty bitchy.”

Roe smirks, and the corners of my mouth lift, but only a little.

The problem is, she isn’t completely wrong. My track record has been one crash and burn after another.

“I know it’s been hard to move on since your marriage ended,” Roe says sympathetically.

I close my eyes and breathe. When I open them, I look at her. “Please.” I wave her off. “I would hardly call what David and I had a marriage.”

“You made vows, and you lived together as husband and wife for three months.”

I roll my eyes, bringing my glass to my mouth to take a large swig. “Our marriage was annulled, so it’s almost as if it never happened. Plus, he admitted to using me to get to our family law firm, Roe. He didn’t even attempt to deny it.”

She frowns, lowering her gaze to her own glass and tapping her nail against it. “I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“It’s fine.” With a reassuring smile, I run my hand up and down her arm.

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