Page 10 of The Grinder

Yes, every girl had that one guy who broke her heart into a thousand pieces. Well, every girl except Aly. She’d never fallen that hard for a guy. And yes, she secretly worried that maybe there was something wrong with her.

But she never wanted to be like Vivi, bitter and crushed because of a guy.. Or like her mother, stuck with a man she couldn’t stand but wouldn’t leave.

“So are you coming with me Friday night or not?”

Her sister rolled her eyes. “Of course. Gotta see this guy for myself. Besides, you won’t go if I don’t, and you need to get out and have some fun. You’re starting to remind me a little of Mom and that’s scary.”

Aly’s brows knit together. “What do you mean?”

Vivi rolled onto her side and propped her hand under her head. Aly mimicked her position.

“You know. You never have any fun and you’re always worried about something.”

“I’m not always worried.”

Vivi’s brows rose. “I notice you didn’t say anything about having fun.”

Now Aly rolled her eyes. “Work’s been crazy lately and I haven’t had a lot of time—”

“Excuses, excuses.” Vivi waved her hand in front of her. “Just like Mom. She always has an explanation for why she doesn’t do anything, and you’re starting to act like that, too.”

Aly opened her mouth to deny it…then closed it because she couldn’t.

“That’s a low blow.”

“No, it’s true. And you know it. But you have a date. With a real hottie.” Vivi’s smile widened. “Maybe you’ll actually get to find out if he’s good in bed.”

“It’s just a date. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

“So you’ve never had sex on a first date?”

“Not since college. Older and wiser.”

Vivi rolled her eyes. “Oh please. Live a little. Get what you can out of the guy before you dump him.”

The flat tone of Vivi’s voice worried Aly but she didn’t say anything because, god forbid, she didn’t want to sound like their mother, who she tried so hard not to be like.

“We haven’t even gone out for a drink. Maybe he’ll turn out to be a dick and I won’t see him again.”

“Oh, he’ll turn into a dick sooner or later. Probably sooner.”

She couldn’t let that pass. “Viv, are you okay?”

Her sister’s gaze dropped for a few seconds before she shrugged. “I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not. You haven’t been for a while and I’m worried about you.”

Vivi sighed heavily. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’m fine. Honestly.”

“But you haven’t been yourself lately.”

“Maybe I’m finally growing up.”

“You’re twenty-four and you’re making ends meet working three freaking jobs. I think that’s adult enough.”

“But you’re the one working fifty hours a week in an office where you have to wear grown-up clothes.”

“And have no social life at all. Don’t forget that.”

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