Page 45 of Anchored Love
“That should be fun.”
“Maybe, but you know how Jess gets. Knowing her, she’ll want to hold it somewhere weird and force us all to eat kale cupcakes.” I shivered at the thought as Sam laughed, knowing it to be true.
“Your little sister is pretty strange. Are kale cupcakes even a thing?” she asked, inhaling another bite.
“Hell if I know. If they aren’t, she’ll make up something else disgusting and guise it under the pretense it’s good for the baby.”
Samantha laughed. “Well, you got to give her credit. Jess is very passionate.”
“I guess. Did I tell you about the big fight she and Casey got into about marriage?”
“No way? They’ve been together since like they were in diapers, right?”
“Something like that. Apparently, she doesn’t want to get married.”
“As in ever?”
I shook my head. “Nope. She says it’s just a piece of paper. At first, Casey agreed, but I guess he caught wedding fever cause the day after Drake’s wedding things exploded. I was afraid they were going to break up for good.”
Sam gaped. “I can see his point, though. That’d be pretty hard to hear and take.”
“Oh, I’m on his side for sure.”
We ate quietly for a few minutes until Samantha pulled her phone out. “Which one do you think looks like me?” There was a picture of two dogs at one of the local animal shelters. Both adorable.
“I mean, they’re dogs; not an accessory that looks like you. Are you wanting to get a dog? I didn’t think you were much of a pet person,” I questioned.
She shrugged. “I’m not, but I enjoyed having Mooch for a week. It got me thinking maybe I need a dog.”
“Well, both are adorable. What’s Greg think?”
Sam looked down to her phone, eyeing both the pets. “I haven’t asked him.”
“You live together,” I reminded her unnecessarily.
“I know that.” She smirked. “He liked having Mooch around too, but he’s been dropping hints that maybe he wants kids. I’m not ready for that, and having a dog could be good practice. You know, see how we manage sharing custody of an animal, and if he’s good at taking care of one. If we can raise a dog together, then maybe I’ll be more open to having his baby.”
“Good plan. Solid.”
“Ooh. We better get to work.” She glanced at her phone. It kept buzzing, and every time she looked at the screen, she had this weird, mysterious grin on her face. I paid my half of the tab and returned to work, hoping the second half of the day would pass by faster than the first.
* * *
Back at the office,I was surprised to find my sister waiting in my office.
“Jess, what brings you by?”
“Do you have a minute?”
“Sure.” I closed the door, wondering what prompted a visit at work. She never came by to see me. I took my seat, and she sat in the chair on the other side of my desk. My sister kept chewing her thumbnail, a telling sign something ate at her. “What can I do for you, sister?”
“I need advice, and I don’t want to talk to Mom or Kelsey or anyone. I know you won’t judge me.”
“Okay…” I gave her a weak smile, wondering what the hell was up with her. First, all the fighting with Casey about marriage and now, whatever this was.
“So you know Mom instigated all that wedding talk between Casey and me, and well, he’s not letting it go.”
“Do you not want to get married ever, or is it that you don’t want to marry Casey?”
