Page 110 of The Love Rematch
“I’m fine,” Emily repeats, this time looking over her sister’s shoulder toward Nina. The producer’s expression is probing. She’s aware there’s something she missed. “And I’m sorry about this. Sam had a…traumatic experience at the dentist when we were younger. She takes oral hygiene very seriously.”
“As one should,” Sam says indignantly. “Gum disease is a modern epidemic.”
“Ignore her.” Emily shoves Sam behind her back and pinches her arm emphatically. “We were ten,” she continues. “Her dentist appointment was the week after Halloween. She had five cavities.” Emily pauses dramatically and leans in, lowering her voice. “She had to get a fake tooth.”
Sam cries out. “I couldn’t show my face in the cafeteria for a month!”
“Anyway.” Emily releases a deep breath. “As you can see, my sister is dramatic and I’m absolutely fine. Sorry she got you all worked up over nothing.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Nina peers at Emily in a way that makes her squirm beneath the pressure. Sam was always the better liar.
“Positive.”
“Then I guess we’re done here.” Nina relents. As if a switch is flipped, the scrutiny in her gaze disappears. She’s the picture of ease, back to playing her friendly role. “We’re just glad you’re okay. Right, Phil?”
“Right.”
He drops the camera from his shoulder.
The red light blinks off.
Emily’s free.
“Come on,” Nina says as she stands up. “It’s late, and we start early tomorrow. We should all get some sleep. Phil can escort Samantha back to her—”
“Oh,” Emily interrupts, keeping her tone neutral. “Does she have to go?”
Nina and Phil exchange a glance.
Emily jumps in quickly. “I haven’t seen her in months, since she lives in New York while I’m full-time in Georgia. And after she flew all this way, it would mean so much if I could get a little more time with her. I promise, I’ll save all the gossip for the cameras in the morning. The viewers will already know she barged into my room. Can’t she stay here? Please?”
“Yeah,” Sam adds and bats her eyelashes. “Pretty please?”
Nina looks between them. The moment extends as one second turns to two. She knows this request isn’t as innocent as it seems, yet she almost looks intrigued. The producer’s dark brown eyes fill with curiosity as she scans Sam up and down. Then she crosses the room and holds out her hand. “Phone.”
Emily surrenders the cell phone.
Sam tenses behind her.
The second that phone leaves the room, any hope of calling Dr. Laghari goes with it—or so Sam thinks. But Emily has a plan.
As soon as the door closes, leaving them alone, she turns to her sister. “When is your flight home?”
Sam grins. “Sick of me already?”
“Answer the question.”
“Tomorrow afternoon.”
Emily scoffs, forgetting the situation for a moment to bask in the pure ridiculousness of flying nineteen hours to the most beautiful place in the world and staying for less time than the flight. Typical workaholic Samantha. But it’s so perfect Emily could kiss her.
In fact, she does.
Emily pulls her sister close and smacks a big wet one on her cheek while a laugh spills from her lips.
“What?” Sam asks, confused. “I have an important meeting.”
“I’m sure you do.” Emily shakes her head. “Can you skip it?”
