Page 19 of Till Death Do Us Part

“You only call me Roma when you’re mad or trying to get me to see your point. It’s only hair, Lo. Do your worst.”

My sister hadn’t touched hair since the attack. She’d had big plans for her career, and I wanted to see that confidence in her again. I knew she’d lost a lot, but she hadn’t lost her life. The assholes who had tried to end us had.

“Come on.” I stood and held my hand out to her. I could tell she was on the brink of no, and I wanted to pull her away from it. “I need this.”

She stared at my hand, looked outside, then met my eyes. She put her hand in mine and I pulled her up.

Chapter8

Roma

The air in the Museum of Prehistoric History was cool, and the only way I could describe how it smelled wasnatural. It instantly put me at ease and transported me to a world long gone.

I’d volunteered at the museum while I was working on my degree in paleontology. When a job opening became available after I graduated, the staff thought I’d be a good fit. I was assistant to Hayden Burton and Elsa Lang. She was the Curator of Paleontology.

Because I’d volunteered, I also helped the special events coordinator from time to time. The building was magnificent. All marble, iron, and Pantheon-worthy columns. I’d also fill in when they were down a docent. I loved doing educational things with kids, like field trips.

The museum felt like a second home to me. I could see a future there.

With my bag in hand, I was careful not to spill my coffee as I said hello to Gonzalo, the 27-foot-tall titanosaur who welcomed visitors on the main floor. The giant spread out 120 feet across Wrigley Hall. Gonzalo was molded from fossil bones excavated in Argentina. Such a beautiful creature. It always gave me a thrill to see him.

Elsa and I shared an office, and Hayden had his own private one off it. Elsa was working at her desk when I walked in, Hayden looking over her shoulder as they discussed paperwork she was looking over.

Elsa was in her mid-twenties and reminded me of an old-time movie star. She had long, golden hair that was styled to fit a time gone by. Her eyes were vivid blue, her features slight and sharp. She was exceptionally smart and always so nice to me.

“Roma!” She almost head-butted Hayden as she jumped up, her arms outstretched for a hug. “You look fabulous!” She held me at arm’s length. “Look at your hair!”

I touched the ends. It was much shorter, and it had to be styled for it to look decent. “You like it?”

“Like it?” She smiled, running her fingers where mine had just been. “I love it! It makes you look…more mature somehow.”

Her face changed after she’d said it. Maybe she regretted using those words. I didn’t want things to get awkward, so I told her it was just the cut of my hair, then said hello to Hayden. He told me how great it was to have me back and, thankfully, it was business as usual after that.

Before I knew it, it was lunch time, and Elsa asked me to pick up food from The Herbivore. It was a little place down the street we frequented. They had awesome vegetarian options, amazing smoothies, and the staff knew us as regulars.

Sometimes when Elsa and I had more time, we’d enjoy the walk and have lunch together. She was interesting. She was already a paleontologist, and she was working on her degree in archeology. Later, she planned on becoming a historian. She’d fly through that degree because she was a human information sponge.

My phone vibrated with a text while I was waiting for our order. My sisters and I had a group chat. It was easier for us to keep up with each other that way, and no one felt left out.

Isabella:Saturday we're having brunch at Babbo's.

Talia:What’s the occasion?

Alina:Where have you been? Lo is meeting her hubby-to-be.

Lo:Yeah, what Alina said.

Y:Can't wait.

Lo:Y, send us a picture of your hair.

Isabella:Lo, you're doing hair again?

I took a selfie and sent it with the captionLo’s work is all Gucci.

My phone blew up. My sisters all loved it, excited that Lo was returning to her passion. The conversation turned back to the brunch when Isabella started to spam the chat with decor ideas.

Talia sent an eyeroll emoji and said she was out.

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