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I sucked in my breath. They all knew how I’d been denied the promotion and why I refused to let Miley sue for me—I needed the health benefits, and it was rare to find a policy that would include my sister.
“I lied and said I had a serious boyfriend.”
Britney asked, “To get the interview?”
“Well, did they suddenly stop talking about our drinking?” Kelly asked quickly.
“Yeah, though Lauglin was still talking about me.”
Britney saluted me with her drink. “Relax. It will work out, Avril.”
I sat back. No one thought the lie was a big deal. It probably wasn’t. “I think so. I’m their best analyst. I almost applied for another job, but I wanted this one.”
Miley said, “You should still apply for other jobs and see what you get.”
Thinking about the risk to my health benefits sent a cold chill down my spine, but I nodded. “You’re right. I just hated that Jeffrey Lauglin stood in my way.”
Kelly said, “I’m glad I turned down his date, because he’s clearly an asshole.”
She was right.
Isabel stood. “I’m going for another round for everyone.”
The music changed. I checked my phone. Abby hadn’t called me back, which probably meant that meant she was sleeping in her hospital bed. I cringed and hoped nothing awful had happened.
Britney slipped beside me. “Can we talk outside for a minute?”
“Sure.”
We weaved through the filling bar and stood a few feet from the door. Then Britney asked, “So, how’s your sister?”
Tears formed in my eyes. “She’s not answering, and I’m scared for her.”
Britney hugged me. “I’m sorry.”
I held her tight. “She’s all the family I’ve got.”
“And us.”
True. Kelly was letting me move in with her so I could send my rent money to the hospital and hope for a miracle. We stayed where we were for who knew how long. When the tears dried, we hooked arms and walked.
I said, “Leaving my job means I’d put Abigail in a month of jeopardy where I’m not sure how I’d pay for her treatments.”
Britney squeezed my hand as we reached the door. “I totally understand. I was hoping you’d tell me she was on the mend.”
We went inside, and I said, “Cancer totally sucks.” Cancer was about to steal my sister from the world, and I was running out of options.
“It does.”
As we passed the bar, a familiar hand brushed against my shoulder. I turned and stared into a pair of brown eyes. He said, “Avril, here you are.”
“Kir?”
He was the last person I’d expected to see. He’d made it quite clear in Hawaii that we were a wrong match. I was living in a fantasy world because my own life was a disaster, but it kept me from going completely insane.
He smiled at me. “I hoped I’d see you when I bumped into Kelly over there.”
Britney waved and walked past.
