“What’s up?” I say to Bella as I try not to think about last night.
“I think I’ve read all my new books. Can we get some more?”
“Sure, why not?” I smile at her snuggled under my blankets. We’re both still in our pj’s. Taking a shower is the most I’ve done today. I dread having to get us both lunch. If I could hide out in here for the rest of my life, I would.
My heart starts to race when a knock sounds on the door. The last thing I want is to face Dante. My face burns as I think of him holding my hair for me.
I know I’m shit at holding my liquor. I don’t know what I was thinking. Time stops as Bella jumps up and runs to answer the door. I only breathe easier when my sister comes into view.
I’ve never been happier to see her. I toss the covers back and get up as she enters the room. She looks around. “Wow, this place is nice.
“Nyla,” Bella sings and wraps around my sister’s legs.
“Hey, pretty girl. How’s it going?”
Bella giggles. “I’m spending time with Lizzy. We’re reading and hanging out.”
“Sounds like fun. Do you know she used to sit and read with me when she was around your age?”
“Really?”
“Yup.”
“Bella,” Dante calls as he appears in the doorway.
“Yes, Daddy?”
“Come with me. I’ll get you something to eat. Let’s let Lizzy have some time to herself to hang with her sister.”
“Okay,” Bella says sadly.
“Hey, we’ll hang some more later. It’s time to change our nail polish.”
“Yes,” Bella cheers and pumps her little fist.
Dante smiles and places a hand on top of Bella’s head to lead her out of the room. I can’t even look up at him. I keep my gaze down and pull into myself. I release the breath I don’t realize I’m holding once the door is closed again.
“Okay, what was that about?”
I groan and fall back on my bed. “Kill me now,” I mutter.
“Why haven’t you been answering my calls this morning?”
I sit up and look for my phone. Swiping my hand under my pillow, I find the device filled with missed calls. I groan again.
“I’m sorry. I woke with the worse hangover. I just needed the room to stop spinning. I didn’t think to check my phone.”
“So, you’re not still mad at me?”
“For what?” I ask and look at her in confusion.
“For showing you who that creep really is.”
“Who, Jacob? Oh God, no. I’m so over that. I’m too busy dying of embarrassment to think about him.”
“Explain?” Nyla says and places down the bags she entered with. I look at the bags curiously but shrug and begin to tell her about what I remember from last night.
“I’m such a goofball. Like, why am I so awkward? You got all the cool genes. My boss is totally hot and held my hair while I puked my guts out. Why is this my life?”
“Girl, please. The fact that he stayed to hold your hair speaks volumes. You have to stop being so hard on yourself,” she replies. “If you ask me, you should get dressed and go see if you can pick up where you guys left off.”
“You’re kidding, right? I’m sure it was only the alcohol talking. He’s not interested in me. He can have anyone he wants.”
Nyla snorts and makes a face of disgust. I frown and start to fidget. I know that look. She gives it to me every time she’s about to ream me for not having confidence in myself.
“And why wouldn’t he want you?”
“Come on, Ny.”
“No, you come on. I’m so glad I went shopping first. I thought you were in here beating yourself up over that asshat, but you’re sitting in here talking nonsense in that brain of yours. Get up,” she commands.
I stand and shift from foot to foot, playing with the hem of my T-shirt. Nyla shoves the bags at me and shoos me into the bathroom.
“You go put that on. I’m going to help you remember who you are. I’ve been gone too long, and someone needs to help you see the amazing vixen who’s my living, breathing, badass sister,” she says as I head into the bathroom.
I place the bags on the counter and peek inside the first two. Those have shoe boxes in them. The last bag, I have to sift through the tissue paper to find the little lacy bra and panty sets, one red the other black with matching garters. At the bottom of the bag rests two silk robes to match each set.
I can’t help the laugh that comes to my lips. Ny used to do this all the time. Have me dress up and look in the mirror as she pointed out all the things she thought were great about me.