Page 182 of Altius
“But you’re not.” Kelsey sniffled. “You… Morgan, you’ve let me live with you in luxury, rent-free, for my entire adult life. You pay for my phone, my health insurance, my car—”
“Because I want to, and I owe you. So much. None of that needs to change.”
She shook her head. “If one thing changes, itallhas to change. If you’re going to start being more self-reliant, then so am I… But you’re not good with change.”
“No,” I admitted wryly, “I’m not. But Iamtrying. To be more open and emotionally available. And to remember that I… I don’t have to limit myself to solely being a doctor. That I’m more than my profession.”
Taking a centering breath, I admitted a long-held secret.
“You know, I’ve had the same three goals my entire life. Only three. First, win a gold medal at the Olympics on vault. That was a big fat check, wasn’t it?”
With a team gold medal and a bronze medal on floor exercise as gorgeous metallic cherries on top.
“Yeah,” Kelsey said, eyes tinged with a faint hint of pity, “but your second goal was to become an orthopedic surgeon.”
Putting on a proud expression, I sat up straighter, puffing out my chest. “I’m still a doctor, aren’t I? That’s another check.”
Giving her hand a playful squeeze before letting go, I said, “But you’ll never guess the third one. Even Jacobi’s never been able to figure it out.”
“Au contraire, sister dear. It’s always been the most obvious.” Kelsey sat back in her chair, toying with her favorite vintage gold locket. “You’ve always dreamed of falling in love with a pack of intelligent and devoted men.”
I had to laugh. “Of course, you’d figure that out—because it’s always been your goal, too. Right?”
Kelsey gave a begrudging nod. “Yes.”
I got up, channeling a bit of Rory as I wrapped my arms around her shoulders from behind and pressed our cheeks together. “I’m not trying to push you out, Kels. But the fact of the matter is, the more I get involved with Pack Redmond, the morescent signatures will contaminate your inventory. And while my suite is decently soundproofed—”
“Okay, okay, I got it,” she protested, squirming as she tried to break loose.
But I held her tight.
“Jacobi and I will invest in Beaufeather’s. As much as you need, whenever you need it. But you call the shots. The same as always. Renovations, layout, everything. It’s all you.”
Kelsey abruptly gripped my arm, her voice small and unsure. “What if it fails?”
“Then you try something else—as long as it makes you happy.”
She went quiet, rubbing her fingertips against the nubby texture of the cardigan.
Just as I was about to tell her to take her time and think things over, Kelsey pressed her cheek against mine and gave a tiny nod.
“Count me in.”
“Fantastic.” After a brief but exuberant hug, I released Kelsey and went to grab my phone from the kitchen island. “Let’s tell Jacobi the good news.”
She grimaced. “Do we have to?”
I paused, phone in hand. “Did I miss something?”
“No,” she half-stammered, fussing with her locket again. “It’s just… He’s going to be insufferable, isn’t he?”
“Just a smidge.”
“A Jacobi smidge amounts to a tsunami.”
“Nothing you can’t handle,” I said, flashing a wicked grin, then hit dial and put the call on speaker.
My favorite menace answered after three rings. “Your sister’s giving me the cold shoulder. Why haven’t you convinced her yet? She listens to you—sometimes.”
