Page 48 of A Quick Stop in Paradise

“No, forget that. I’m not going with anybody until they’ve apologized.”

“Stella,” Mom pleaded. “We can’t go losing all our daughters now.”

I put a hand on Stella’s shoulder. “Stella. You love live music. Go, go.”

“Not if I’m… absolutely… furious with the people I’m seeing it with. I’m not going.”

Oscar muttered under his breath, “This is about the lifeguard…”

“Stella, stop being childish,” Grandma said, and Allison stepped in again.

“Ma’am—if you’re scheduled for brunch before the one PM matinee at the King Theater, you should probably move. Your reservation must be coming.”

Grandma shot her a look. Allison stood up taller, and I knew from the fiery look in her eyes that she was about to say something she shouldn’t have, but I couldn’t stop her in time.

“If you’re debating whether it’s childish for somebody to stand up for her sister, then maybe you can debate it over brunch.”

Dammit. I couldn’t help at least alittlesnort laugh when she said something like that. Stella, who loved snide comments, laughed outright, and when Grandma paled, Stella said, “Don’t even think about complaining to her manager. Like I said. This girl loses her job because of you, and I don’t know you anymore. Okay? I’m staying behind. Get a move on.”

Mom sighed, hard, but she stepped back. “I hope I’ll see you both for dinner and the mountains tour tonight.”

“I’ve made myself clear, Mom,” I said, but as she walked away, together with my grandparents and Oscar, back to where my cousin Daniela had hung back at the door, all leaving together, I couldn’t help but fear I hadn’t made myself clear enough, somehow. Allison slumped her shoulders.

“Um… thanks for standing up for me. I probably shouldn’t have said anything.”

Stella waved her off. “Hey, relax. If anything, I’m hoping she does fire you now. I’m looking for any excuse I can get to not talk to that old bag.”

Allison put her hands on her hips, pouting at her. “Oh, I’m just a pawn on your board, huh?”

“Stella just likes to start things,” I laughed drily, suddenly feeling winded, exhausted, like the whole thing was a big physical fight I was coming down from. “Well, Allison, this is my sister Stella. Stella, this is my friend Allison.”

“Hi, Allison.” She turned to me. “This is the friend who’s been showing you around the place?”

“Her and another, uh—” A woman who’d fucked me senseless this morning. Why that thought was coming into my head now of all times, I didn’t know, but it wasn’t welcome. “A mutual friend… I guess technically I met Allison first, but it feels more appropriate to say I met Allison through Brooklyn.”

“Brooklyn?” Stella frowned. “Isn’t that the bartender Shane tried to cheat with?”

I hung my head. “How do you even know her name?”

“You’refriendswith her?”

I leaned back against the counter. “Well, yeah. Why not? She’s the one who had the honesty and integrity to notice he had a girlfriend, stop everything, find me, tell me, and make sure I was supported through it. She’s a really good person.”

Allison chipped in with, “Ryandoeslike her alot.”

I’d kick her if there weren’t a counter between us. I just shrugged at Stella. “She’s easy to like. I’m grateful for her. Was there when my whole family wasn’t.”

Stella scowled. “I’m not taking their side.”

“Honestly, Stella? I appreciate you being on my side, but you picking fights witheveryone—right in front of me so I’m automatically dragged in—it’s not the most helpful.”

Stella folded her arms, giving me a betrayed look. “I’m not going to just let them walk all over you.”

“And I see that, and I’m letting you know that, while the effort is appreciated… you’re kind of adding a lot of stress to the situation.”

Stella rolled her eyes with a huffy sigh, but she didn’t say anything. Allison spoke quietly. “Ryan’s going through a lot and she’s, I dunno… delicate. Anyone would be, right?”

Stella smirked at me. “Got the whole staff on your side.”

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