Page 213 of 7+Us Makes Nine

“A few hours. It depends.”

“Give me your phone.”

She bit her lip softly but reached in her back pocket and handed me a bright blue phone.

“This your favorite color?” I arched a brow, looking at her and she nodded.

I put my number in her phone and then texted myself.

“Text me when you’re off. Don’t stand me up.”

She giggled softly.

“I won’t.” She was halfw

ay out the door.

“See you.” And then the door shut.

I shook my head with a smile. Man, there is something about her.

“Tristan, are you sleeping?” Natalie pulled me out of my trance.

“Hmm? No. You want some ice cream?”

“Hell yeah.”

I got up and scoured my freezer, I found half a sherbet container and some butter pecan. I grabbed spoons and met her back at the chairs.

“I was just thinking about Vivian. About how we met.” I explained.

“Have you been doing that a lot?” her voice changed. Great, I pulled myself into a therapy session.

“Yeah.” I sucked on the strawberry sherbet.

“Why do you think? Is it helping?”

I sighed.

“I don’t know. I think I’m trying to see where I missed things. Or how I couldn’t tell who she really was.”

She slurped her ice cream loudly. She must have different table manners.

“You never can. And it isn’t your fault she played you.”

“I don’t think she played me. Ten years is a long time. She had to love me for real at some point. Maybe it was me.” I opened even more. No wonder she was the best in the state, I’ve barely said anything. Or maybe it was just because she was my sister.

“How so?” She pressed.

“I don’t know. It could have been how much time I spent away. At work, travelling. Maybe I left her alone. She was never good at expressing her feelings, I guess she felt like she couldn’t tell me.” I shrugged.

“You two were married. She should have figured out a way. And she shouldn’t have cheated.”

Chapter Four

Emilia

I nearly burned the spaghetti, but I managed a good save. Ivy couldn’t stop praising the food, I had a bit myself. Those frozen dinners never seemed to fill me fully.

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