Page 157 of Priceless

“But the people who know the two of you, know. What you did together — it’s illegal.”

I sank down on the bed. “Yeah, but it’s not like I was…” I trailed off. “How illegal?”

“It's a misdemeanor. You’d get fined, you could even go to jail. So could Patrick. Not for very long, but still. Do you really want that on your record?”

“Thank you, Ms. Future Lawyer.” I went to the window and closed it with a bang.

“Well, I don't know about that.” She laughed a little. She looked thinner than the last time I’d seen her. My sweatshirt hung loosely on her frame, and her collarbones were sharper. “But if two years of law school are worth anything, I’m giving you some legal advice.”

“What do you mean? Of course they’re worth something. You're not going to be a lawyer now? You’requitting?”

“I just want to live one day where I don’t have to be amazing. One day. That's all I want.”

I went to her side and hugged her around the shoulders. “Wanna switch places?”

My sister’s dark eyes flickered over me, then to the shameful chaos in my room, and her shoulders sagged. “I almost do.”

My throat squeezed, but I forced some purpose into my voice. “What’s going on? You have cold feet about the wedding?”

Impulsively, I squeezed her left hand between both of mine. Her skin was smooth and soft. She stared at my rug.

“‘Cold feet.’ You make it sound so normal,” she said in a low voice.

“Of course it’s normal! I mean, I’ve never been engaged, but it’s got to be one hundred per cent normal.”

“Daniel’s trying so hard.” The words whispered from her lips. “I feel like we don’t even know each other. I’m a fraud, Christina.”

“No.” I shook my head. “You’re not.”

“I am.”

I looked down at our twined hands, because something was missing. No gleam, no blinding flash.

“Alexis? Where’s your ring?”

She looked away.

“Was it too much of a workout to lift your hand?” I was trying for a laugh, or at least a smile, but she said nothing. “Does Daniel know?”

She kept her eyes on the rug. “How much did Patrick pay you?”

“Alexis…”

“I want to know.”

Backing away, I knelt down, swept scattered gummy bears from the floor, and tossed them in the trash.

“Four hundred the first time. A hundred after that.”

“Per hour?”

“Jesus, woman, for the night. I slept over.”

“Christina!” Alexis dropped to her knees and clutched my arm. “So you stayed, what, ten hours each time? That’s not even minimum wage!”

“There were perks. I got breakfast? He’s a really good cook…”

“Are you serious? How could you be so careless? You practically gave yourself away. You should have chargedmuchmore.”

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