Page 167 of The Snowball Effect

Audrey dug her teeth so hard into her lip, Regan was concerned she’d draw blood. Still, she tightly shook her head. “No. I’m not that person; I’m not flaky or undependable. I’m not you. I can’t just… just walk away from my commitments like that.”

Regan didn’t know why she was surprised by the statement, or why she was surprised it dug into her, sharply reminding her that she and Audrey still had a long way to go.

She slowly dropped her arm from where she’d still had it draped around her sister, in an obviously ineffective attempt to offer comfort.

“Maybethat’swhy you texted me tonight,” she challenged, as she drew away. As she spoke, she grew more certain, though, because it was the only thing that made sense. “Actually, I think it is.”

Audrey turned to face her, eyes red-rimmed, her expression drawn tight.

And Regan stared, the sharp bite of pain from Audrey’s comment fading as she scanned her eyes over her sister’s face. Mostly because it was replaced by… pity.

“I think you texted me because out of all of the people in your life, I’m the only one that isn’t going to encourage you to marry some d-bag just because Mom and Dad think you should, or because he’s attractive and successful, or because it already seems like a done deal.” Emboldened, Regan knocked her knuckles lightly against the bar. “Yeah, I think that’s exactly why. Because you had to know if you told meanythingabout Armando, that I’d tell you what I thought. And, on some level, you wanted to hear it.”

Audrey hastily reached up, swiping her hand over her cheeks to wipe away any fallen tears as she shook her head. “No, that’s not–”

Regan cut her off, on a roll. “You know, Audrey, you and I might be very different. I might not have Mom and Dad’s approval in any way, but I’m happy with my life.” She leaned in, imploring quietly, “Why do you still feel like you need to make them happy, when you know that they don’t care if you are?”

Audrey’s breath caught in her throat, hitching, before she hurriedly slapped her hand over her mouth in an obvious attempt to cut off any more threatening tears.

In yet another unexpected turn, Regan felt her stomach twist in sympathy.

“That’s – I’m done,” Audrey announced, her voice hoarse even though Regan couldhearhow much she tried for a steely tone. “I need to go home.”

“Okay.” Regan watched her sister shakily reach into her bag, pulling out her credit card.

She watched her for another long moment, wondering – for the first time – who in Audrey’s life really cared about her true feelings, ifReganwas the person she’d called tonight?

With that in mind, she unlocked her phone and tapped a few buttons, before locking it and looking up at Audrey, who was staring down at her credit card in utter consternation.

“I ordered you a car home. It’ll be here in five.”

Audrey’s still-teary eyes widened, and she swallowed visibly hard. “You didn’t have to do that; I – I’ll pay you back.”

Regan waved her off, as she slid off her stool. “I don’t want your money; I just want you to know that I love you, whether you get married in forty-five days or not.”

What a wild night.

Regan’s thoughts whirred in an unstoppable loop as she walked down the hall toward her apartment.

Regan – 7:42PM

Sutton… I don’t even have the wherewithal for adoring nicknames right now. I know you’re sleeping, but you are the only person that is going to fully understand the magnitude of what I have to share. I HAVE to tell you about what happened tonight with Audrey. You would never in a million years guess what the developments are on this side of the ocean

She slid her phone in her back pocket with one hand as she reached for the apartment door with her other.

Even with all of the insanity with her sister, she could still feel the vibrating excitement inside at the prospect of seeing Emma. Even though – per her text to Sutton – Emma didn’t necessarily know the gravity of what had happened with Audrey, she still couldn’t wait to tell her. She couldn’t wait to tell Emmaeverything.

“Hey! I’m home,” she called out, quickly kicking off her shoes.

“I’m in the living room,” Emma called back.

Regan grinned, nearly tripping over her own feet with the haste to get to Emma as quickly as possible.

“Do you just want to get a pizza or something for dinner? I planned on throwing some spaghetti together or something, but you wouldn’t believe–” All of the words she could have possiblycome up with escaped her as soon as she walked into the living room.

Nothing existed in her brain anymore.

The interaction with Audrey? Gone. Thoughts of dinner? Nope, what was that?

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