Page 47 of No Such Thing as Serendipity
Robyn impressed me by knowing all our names, even though she’d just met us yesterday.
“I’m just here to keep her in line,” Emma said, pointing at me with a flourish.
The group laughed.
“Girl, I think it’s gonna take all of us to keep her in line,” Annie said with a chuckle.
Robyn’s gaze shifted between me and Emma. “I must be the only one not in on the joke, so can someone explain?”
Emma gave Robyn an overview of how we ended up in the middle of nowhere, Wisconsin. While Emma talked, Robyn had a slight smile on her face, and I caught amusement behind her eyes.
Robyn turned to me. “I’ll get to you next, but I need a little more from Emma.”
Emma nodded enthusiastically.
“Putting aside sister-sitting, why else are you here?” Robyn asked.
“Can it still involve Blake?” Emma asked.
“It can involve whoever you want.”
Emma gave Robyn a half smile before she looked at me. “I want to reconnect with my sister. I’ve missed you.”
A lump caught in my throat. I knew I’d been standoffish while I focused on building my career, but Emma saying she missed me was hard to hear. Loyal Emma had stuck by my side even when I wasn’t worthy.
“I can see that stirred up emotions,” Robyn said to me. “Would you like to share what’s going on? What you’re feeling?”
I shook my head.
“Fair enough.” Robyn didn’t seem upset with my refusal. “How about you tell us why you’re here, other than Emma brought you?”
I bit my lower lip, trying to figure out how much I wanted to say. Despite the relaxing atmosphere Robyn had created, I wasn’t ready to get touchy-feely, so I said, “With the setback in my career that Em mentioned, she convinced me a little relaxation would do me good before I roll up my sleeves and field offers.”
When Robyn continued to stare, saying nothing, I added, “I mean. I’m gonna show them, the people who bought out my company, that they made a huge mistake not keeping me on. Success is the sweetest revenge. Which means sixty- to eighty-hour weeks once I sign on with someone new.”
Robyn nodded. Her eyes were hard to read. “Do you frequently work such long hours?”
“Oh, yeah, if you want to get ahead in private equities, you need to hustle, especially a woman. Show them you have what it takes.”
“Will you take time for other things?”
I looked at her blankly for several beats before I figured out what she was asking. “It’ll be dicey the first few years. Ya know, establishing myself and all. Eventually, I should be able to settle in at fifty or sixty hours.”
Robyn’s eyes filled with sadness, and she glanced at Emma, who had the same look.
Shit.Emma said she wanted to reconnect with me, and here I was talking about working nonstop.
“I mean... I...”Fuck.This wasn’t the time to stumble over my words. I needed to erase the pained expression on Emma’s face. “Of course, I’ll always find, uh, make time for Emma.”
“That’s my sister,” Emma said. “Generous.”
Uh-oh.I’d stepped in it worse, but I wasn’t sure how.
“Words matter,” Robyn said. “Might I suggest you say you’ll prioritize time with Emma?”
Thank god.She was throwing me a lifeline. “Yeah, yeah. Of course, I will always prioritize Emma.” I picked at my cuticle, not wanting to look at the faces staring at me. I glanced at Robyn, hoping she’d see my panic.
“We should let Blake off the hot seat.” Robyn gave me a sympathetic smile. “I know this might feel uncomfortable, especially being the first circle. It’ll get easier.”
