Page 61 of Entwined Hearts

“We’ve been friends a long time,” I say, reaching for Anya’s hand under the table.

“Oh, so just friends, then?”

“What’s the job in Vegas, Mom?” Anya asks, picking at her food. I notice she’s barely put anything in her bowl. Some strips of plain grilled chicken, a few slices of avocado. The memory of our conversation earlier returns to my mind. I pull it apart while Anya and Patricia talk, though Patricia is doing most of the talking.

Why is Anya so keen on Widow’s Walk? Her comment about how Norway needs to be perfect keeps popping up. It makes the extra job I’ve been hired to do there feel that much harder.

Why does Anya put so much pressure on herself?

I’m sure about one thing—I don’t like her climbing two thousand feet of unstable granite with Jake. Actually, I don’t want her anywhere near him, let alone in such an isolated setting.

He’ll probably want to get back together, Anya had admitted that night on top of the boulder.

Fuck.

I realize I’m clenching my fork and try to relax, but it’s no use. From Anya’s determined expression earlier, I knew there was no talking her out of climbing Widow’s Walk.

What if Jakedoeswant her back? A crushing weight slams down on my shoulders.

“What’s your father up to? Same old shenanigans?” Patricia says.

Anya’s grip tightens on mine beneath the table. “I don’t know, Mom.”

“I hear he’s dating Chrissy Peal.”

“I really wouldn’t know,” Anya says.

Chrissy Peal, the actress?I think.

“At least this time, his divorce is final. He learned his lesson last time.”

I sneak a glance at Anya, but she’s zoned in on her food. “I guess.”

“These divorces must be costing him a fortune,” Patricia muses. I notice she’s barely eaten anything, either. This is starting to feel weird.

“Has he considered my offer yet?”

I can feel Anya’s tension increase by about ten notches.

“You did share it with him, right?” She gives Anya a stern glare.

“Yes, Mom, I did. But I haven’t talked to him in a while.”

“Did Anya tell you she’s going to be in a film?” I ask. I’m beginning to see the kind of relationship Anya and her mom have, and I feel like I need to do something about it.

Patricia’s mouth is open, about to eat a forkful of sprouts, but it never makes it there. “Oh,” she says, her eyes widening.

“Marvik is making it of a climb we’re doing in Norway,” I add.

Confusion fills her mom’s eyes.

“Marvik is our sponsor,” Anya explains.

“Right,” she says, nodding. “Norway…oh, that’s right, you told me.” She gives Anya a wink. “But I didn’t get the part about the film. How exciting.”

“It’s not that big of a deal,” Anya says.

I give her a look. “It’s ahugedeal.”

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