“Are you there?” Nicole said, coming back on the line. “I’ve got a jug of pinot in hand. What’s the news?”
Explaining took longer than Sam expected. She tried to get it all out in one sentence—dad left me the house and the business, the former is messy, the latter is broke, but Nicole wanted details. By the time she was done explaining the financial issues, dead-end social media prospects and heritage site nightmares, she could hear her twin grinding her teeth.
“You can’t be broke. Dad had a great system in place. I helped him set it up.”
“That was years ago,” Sam reminded her. “Something must have changed. I don’t know why, but we’re barely breaking even and clients are dropping off like flies. Dad’s old customers don’t want to see me or Noah or Gil and we’re not bringing in any new blood.”
“Okay…”
Sam swore she could hear her twin’s brain whirring. “Before you announce a plan, there’s something else you should know. I had a run in with our old neighbor today.”
Nicole gasped. “Scott Sanderson?”
Sam hated that her stomach fluttered at the sound of his name. “Yeah, that guy.”
“Oh my gosh, did he want to talk about the pictures?”
“No,” Sam said firmly. “He’s home on a visit from London. His old man sent him around to offer us a deal on the house.”
Nicole gave an indignant snort. “Again? Does that man ever give up?”
“Yeah, that was about my reaction, but here’s the thing—he’s offering us three mil for it.”
There was a loud clattering noise, followed by the sound of Nicole swearing and scrabbling. When she came back on the line, she was breathless. “Three milliondollars?”
“Uh huh.”
“That’s insane. We’dneverget that much on the open market.” Nicole hesitated. “So, I mean…what are you thinking?”
Sam knew what her sister was thinking; three million meant more stocks, a new car and a bigger fucking balloon arch at her wedding to sleazy cuntlord Aaron. It stung, but Sam didn’t blame her. Nicole had grown up in their house but she wasn’t invested in living in its walls or working in the business that was their father’s pride and joy. Maybe once, but not anymore.
“Sam?” Nicole pressed. “Are you thinking about selling?”
“I don’t think I can,” she admitted. “I know it’s a great offer but dad left this place to me.”
“His letter said that you could sell if you wanted to.”
“I know, but I don’t think that’s what he wants. He wanted to give me some responsibility, make me grow up, which was fucking stupid because the whole business is tanking. I can’t believe what a fuck-up I am.”
The backs of her eyes prickled and she felt fat tears slide down her face.
“Sam…are you crying?”
Sam laughed through her fingers. “Yeah,” she said, pulling her hand from her mouth. “I’m a fucking fountain right now. I cried all over Galahad this afternoon.”
“Are you serious?” Nicole sounded more surprised than when she’d told her about the business failing.
“Is that so shocking?”
“Uh, no offense, but yes.”
“I cry!”
“You didn’t at nana’s funeral, or when Andy stole your weed and ditched you in Berlin or when mum—”
“Yeah okay, I’m not known for crying,” Sam interrupted, rubbing her wet palms over her face. “It’s just a phase with dad and the business and everything. It’s all so overwhelming and, fuck it, let’s just sell.”
“Really?”