Page 72 of Indiscretion

“I get it, but they’re scared anyway. Ryder is playing his usual tough guy, but he’s smart. Dawson told me he even asked him what wasreallywrong with you.”

“What did Dawson say?”

“Bad sushi. He wouldn’t say anything out of turn.”

Frannie blew out a breath. “I’ll tell them when I get home.”

“I think it’s the right thing to do.”

“Okay, but no more depressing talk now. All I do is sit here and think about depressing stuff all day. The oncology ward isnota cheery place. Tell me something juicy.” She pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms around her knees. It made her look so young.

“Juicy? There’s nothing in my life that’s juicy. Heck, I don’t even eat juicy steak.”

“That boss of yours is pretty juicy.”

I smiled. “Dawson is handsome, yes.”

“He’s into you, too.”

“And you know this how? From the two minutes you were able to assess him from the backseat during the drive home from Hoboken before conking out?”

“He drove you toJersey. Most men who live in New York won’t even do that for a blow job.”

I laughed. “Dawson is a good person. It just took me a while to allow myself to see it.”

“Why would you not want to see it?”

“Because I’m insanely attracted to him.”

“Attractive and a good person. That’s not exactly a bad combination, you know.”

I sighed. “Dawson isn’t the relationship type, and the last thing I need is to get hurt again.”

“You’ve gone out with men since you and Brad split up.”

“I know. But not ones like Dawson.”

“What does Dawson have that the others didn’t?”

I looked into my sister’s eyes. “Everything.”

“Oh wow. You really like him?”

“I think he has the potential to be important in my life, and that scares the crap out of me.”

“I can’t see why you would be gun-shy about jumping into a relationship. You know, since Dad left Mom a week after she was diagnosed, the love of my life up and dies on me in a car crash, leaving me with two little kids, and your ex-fiancé dumped you when you needed him most.” She smiled. “Those all sound like very positive influences.”

I chuckled. “When you put it like that, I’m lucky I drag my ass out of bed in the morning.”

“Listen, we’ve been through some ugly stuff and learned some hard lessons. But the most important one I’ve learned came recently, when the doctor told me my leukemia was back. It’s been a reminder that we don’t know how long we’re here for, and the only things that matter are the people who love you and the memories you can fall back on to give you peace of mind.”

I tasted salt in my throat as I reached for my sister’s hand. “You can’t make me cry. I have to go home to Ryder, who will see my puffy face and grill me until I break.”

Frannie smiled. “That kid is just like someone else I know.”

“Oh gosh.” I laughed. “Me and Ryder?”

She nodded. “He’s mini you. I wouldn’t be surprised if he winds up an attorney like his favorite aunt.”

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