"Hey," I say slowly, hoping she's not here to see Dane.
We might be finally getting a little closer, but I'm still not comfortable with her being close to Dane. I don't care how insecure that makes me look.
"You look like you forgot. We're supposed to go to the benefit breakfast. You've got a speech to make."
"Oh shit!" I screech, diving away from the door and rushing to the bedroom.
She snickers quietly while following me into my bedroom as I rummage through my closet. I've gotten so wrapped up in writing and Dane lately that I completely forgot about this benefit breakfast. And I'm the guest speaker, dammit.
"Wear this," Tria says, pulling out a dark blue sundress that looks similar to hers in style, but just a little shorter. "It'll suit the occasion the best. Your hair and makeup look good."
I breathe out, cursing this morning already.
"I had a conference meeting this morning, and everyone was going to have to see me through the computer screen, so makeup and hair was necessary. One of my books is being made into a movie, and they're about to start shooting."
She gasps, and I realize I haven't told anyone from here about this. It's been in the works for several months, and it'll take at least a year to finish it. But I finally have a movie deal.
"Th
at's amazing! Which one? I've read them all."
That's... surprising. Tria reads my stuff?
"Um... well, this one is actually under a different pen. It's the Easton Boys."
Within a second, her phone is whipped out of her purse and she's pressing buttons like crazy.
"No!" I blurt out, panicked. "Don't tell anyone. There's a reason it's under a different pen."
She never even looks up. "I'm not telling anyone; I'm just ordering the hard copy. I'll get the kindle version when I get home."
My smile involuntarily tugs up, and I watch as she finishes up and puts her phone away. But in the same moment I feel touched by her gesture, a wave of regret washes over me. Ah, crap.
"Um... I wrote this book before you and I were... better. This book is based on... the guys, but you're kind of in it."
She shrugs, acting as though she's not offended. I always thought Tria was nothing but drama, but in all honesty, she's barely any drama at all.
"I'll survive whatever is said. To be honest, I didn't portray you so well when I talked about you. You were sort of a bitch to me."
I laugh humorlessly, only because our lives are so fucked up. She's right. Where she's concerned, I was sort of a bitch—an envious bitch because I thought she had it so much easier.
"Since we're finally on good terms, think I could get my books signed?" she asks with a smile that warms me.
I never realized how badly I wanted to be close to my sister, but since all this happened, I really want to make this work.
"Absolutely."
She sighs happily while walking me toward the door. I slip my heels on as I walk out, happy I had out a pair that matches.
"So, does Dane know about the breakfast benefit?" she asks as we get into her car.
"Um. No. I didn't want him coming. He's got a busy day today anyway."
She frowns as we drive toward the hotel where the benefit is.
"Why don't you want him there? This is a pretty personal thing, and the two of you are living together now, so—"
"We're not living together," I groan, exasperated. "And you're right. This is personal. I don't think it's something a man can understand."