Page 15 of Tempt Me Forever

She smiled. "Yes. Oh God, it's good to have you here."

I ordered the same for me. I didn't care what I had for dinner as long as it was something substantial.

My sister sat down on the couch, propping herself on one side. "How's work? Tell me.”

“Suze,youare important. Tell me how you've been."

"Um, a mess, but you already know that. Nothing's changed, so I insist you tell me about your work. And I hope you're in love with it, because otherwise, I think the guilt might consume me."

"You don't have anything to feel guilty for. I mean it."

"You moved here because of me."

"I moved here because this job was an interesting challenge." he cocked a brow. And it was close to you, I'll admit it. It's good. I think I can get used to working in a family-owned hotel."

"Your enthusiasm is overflowing," she said.

Michael moved around in her arms but then seemed to fall asleep.

"It was only my first day. I can't tell much.”

“How is that Kimberly you were fighting with via email?"

I schooled my features. "Can't make up my mind yet."

Suze threw her head back, laughing. I hadn't seen her smile in a while, so this was good.

"I think she's giving you a run for your money. Someone should. You can't go around telling everyone what to do."

"Yes, I can. I'm very good at it," I replied.

Suze winked. "Well, apparently it's not working on Kimberly."

It wasn't, and it was both infuriating and challenging.

“How are you... with the breakup?” she asked.

I waved a hand. “Not worth mentioning.”

Lulu and I had been dating for a few months when Suze’s life imploded. When I told her I might have to move here, she said she didn’t need the complication. I immediately cut her loose.

“Seriously, Suze, tell me, how are you? What can I do to help? How are you managing everything?" I looked around the house, taking it all in.

She sighed, patting the baby on the back. "I know it's on the tip of your tongue. You want me to sell.”

“I don'twantyou to do anything. But I think it would make sense."

"I don't have it in me to do that whole thing, you know? I've got so many things I need to take care of first. I can't even pull myself together enough to go back to work."

My sister was a software engineer, and a damn good one at that.

"Suze, come on. You only gave birth a few months ago."

"I know, but the mortgage on this place is eating up all my savings. Honestly, I'm just getting through day by day. I can't even focus on dealing with any...." She hesitated, and I knew what she would say before she said it. "To take care of the divorce.”

“I can take that over," I offered.

"Which part?" she asked. I knew she was being sarcastic, but I meant it.

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