Page 50 of Meet Me in Paris

“Because of me.”

This discussion couldn’t happen right now. Not with my emotions so close to the surface. “I’m going to grab some lunch.”

Jillian’s hand shot out and grabbed my arm before I could get up. “No, you aren’t. We need to talk about this. I saw Jen’s post on social media about their dad and the fundraiser. I had no idea their financial situation was so dire.”

I blinked. Fundraiser? “Is Hunter’s dad not covered by insurance?”

“His retirement benefits haven’t kicked in yet, and he got fired a few months ago, so they don’t have any right now. Sad situation. But anyway, her post filled in all the gaps. Hunter is going home to be with his family, and he wants you by his side during this difficult time. That’s a perfectly reasonable request for a guy to have.”

“Not when his girlfriend is legally bound to tour Europe with her sisters,” I pointed out.

“Oh, stop it. You aren’t legally bound to go anywhere.I’m taking you to the airport the minute we set foot in Rome.”

“And kissing your inheritance goodbye? Not a chance. That money will set you up for life.”

Jillian gave me a stern look. “You aren’t very observant, are you?”

“What do you mean?”

She sighed. “That’s it. I’m teaching you how to use social media the second we get a chance. If you followed my channel, you’d know.”

“Know what?”

“I made twenty thousand dollars last month, and I’m on track to get another forty this month. Kennedy, I’m already set up for life. I love what I do and I can live however I want, inheritance or no inheritance.”

I gaped at her. “Fortythousand?” I barely made fifty grand in an entire year. And she made that with videos on the internet? In one month?

Jillian put her hand on my shoulder. “I would rather have a happy sister than four million dollars. I’d rather have a happy sister thanfortymillion dollars. You and Alexis are all I have left. Of course I want you to follow him home, if that’s what it takes to get him back.”

The tears I’d fought for days threatened to make an appearance. I didn’t deserve a sister like Jillie. “Thank you. I can’t begin to tell you how that makes me feel. But I doubt Alexis would feel the same way.”

Jillian shrugged. “Ask her. You might be surprised. The question is, could you give up your portion if it meant getting Hunter back?”

Yes.

I didn’t even have to think about it. If I could haveHunter in my life, I wouldn’t hesitate to give up the money. But I didn’t want to toss my sisters aside to do it. If there were a way to keep my family intact while experiencing happiness with Hunter, I would do it, money or not.

“Think about it,” Jillian said with a wink, sliding to her feet. “Just know I’m removing myself from the equation. You’ve been protective of me for way too long. Now it’s my turn to be protective of you.”

That night,we dressed up for dinner. I slipped into my freshly dry-cleaned gown and left the French one hanging in my closet. I wasn’t sure I’d ever wear it again. I always thought I’d love elegant French clothing, but my original gown felt more like me than anything I’d worn there. Besides, in this dress, it was hard to forget how the rain had dripped down Hunter’s forehead as we ran along the cobblestone streets. Since I no longer had Hunter, I would have to cling to the memories we’d made together.

Jillian styled my long hair in loose waves with a braid crown that made me feel like a princess. She even loaned me a pair of diamond earrings to complete the ensemble. At dinner, she showed us the videos she’d posted online. While I’d expected to feel emptier experiencing those moments again, I loved seeing the city from Jillian’s perspective. It felt far more like the innocent moments I’d wanted for myself. Knowing she had a good time made me smile, especially when my youngest sister dared to try escargots on a dare.

I much preferred being on the other side of the camera this time.

“I still don’t see why we had to dress up on our first night,” Alexis grumbled during dessert. She wore a simple sleevelessblack dress that ended at the knee. The low hum of gentle conversation and silverware scraping plates filled the giant room and the smell of roasted meat and baked bread filled the air.

“These ships run in a constant loop and pick up passengers at every port,” I told her. “It’s our first night, but for another group, it could be their third. Or their last.”

She frowned. “I know. It’s just that I wanted to do the zip line in a couple of hours, and now I’ll have to change first.”

“Not necessarily,” Jillian said innocently. “I’m sure the men on board would be plenty happy if you flew through the air wearing that.”

Alexis swatted at her arm, and we laughed.

“Speaking of men,” Jillian said. “I heard there’s a fun club on board. Let’s go there afterward. I bet the both of you that you can’t get a guy to buy you a drink.”

Alexis cocked an eyebrow. She loved a good competition. “How much?”

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