Nora rolled her eyes and took another bite of mango tornado. “You heard what I said, Cassie. Don’t be like that. You are my sister, and you know that Jade is my best friend. It would be great if the two of you could get along. Now, if you two don’t mind, I have some very important business to return to.”
She took another mouthful of the violently orange ice cream and took out the manuscript from its hiding place under the till. It was the book Jack asked her to read. The one that could potentially solve his friend’s murder. Nora didn’t know if she could be of any help to Jack and the case, but one thing was certain, she would try.
Maybe just having a fresh pair of eyes on it would be good. Maybe it would give Jack some different perspectives, and maybe he could even start to heal from the death that had so obviously changed his life for the worse.
“Are you really not going to tell us where you’ve been?” Cassie asked.
Nora shook her head. “You know where I’ve been. Cohen stopped by the house this morning and told us all about your visit to the police station. It’s nice to know you miss me so much, sis.”
Cassie glared at her. “I don’t think I miss you. I think you’re being foolish. Jack has lived in town for a long time, and suddenly, just like that, he is into you, and you’re sleeping there like you don’t have your own place. What am I supposed to think, Nora?”
Nora frowned and ate more ice cream. The cold, sweet treat sat in the pit of her belly, soothing the anger she felt toward her sister. Whatever was coming next wouldn’t be pleasant. She was sure of it.
“I don’t knowwhatyou think,” Nora finally answered.
“I think that man is taking advantage of you,” she shot back, nodding like her word was law.
Jade burst out laughing, making a great big show of wiping tears from her eyes. “Do you really think that Jack is using her for sex? Have you seen the man lately? He is one tasty dish. There is no way he needs to trick sweet virgins into his bed.”
“What she said,” Nora commented, her mouth full.
“See?” Jade added. “She looks just fine. Happy. Loved up. Orange disaster aside, she looks like she always looks.”
“Minus her V-card,” Cassie flared.
“And? I had sex with the man I’ve been into for a long time. In my book, that’s as close to perfect as you can get.”
“At least your first time wasn’t in some rusty car at Lover’s Lane,” Jade sang.
As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Cassie glared at her. “I was in love with him, so you know, it’s fine.”
“I am sure it is.” Jade used the kind of voice she used when kids came into the bank to open accounts with their piggy banks full of quarters.
Cassie caught on to the condescension. “Whatever. Don't come crying to me when he gets his fill of you and gets bored. Oh, and you should know that Mom and Dad fully expect him to be at Sunday dinner. Either you bring him by choice, or Mom will send Dad and Adam to collect him.” She raised her brows significantly, the threat not as powerful as she thought.
If there was a man out there in the world who could be with the Ledger family for dinner and survive, it was her Jack.
He wouldn’t let anything faze him, and he might even defend her, which was always a nice prospect.
“I don’t intend on doing much crying because of Jack Hayes.”
Cassie dropped a hand on her hip with a laugh. “Oh, you poor sweet soul. You are completely delusional if you think that he is going to be with you for the long haul. This is real life. Not one of your books.”
Cassie left, but not before Nora called out, “I read murder mysteries. My sister should know that.”
Once they were alone, Jade sighed. “I will never understand how someone as sweet as you can have a sister that vile.”
“She’s not that bad,” Nora insisted with a shrug. She had Jack’s life story fresh in her mind, and though she hated to compare their siblings, she couldn’t help it.
Sure, Cassie was a raging meanie, but at least she hadn’t killed anyone. Jack couldn’t say the same for his sister. The woman was deranged, and not in a way that could be endearing at times like Cassie was.
“So,” Jade sang. “How are you? How is life?”
Nora giggled. “All good. Perfect, even.”
Jade wiggled her brows. “You’ve slept with him, right? That wasn’t just pretending for your sister’s benefit?”
She blushed, but instead of hating it, she was emboldened by it. Jack loved it when she blushed, and now, she did too. It wasn’t such a bad thing that she was shy and that her whole emotional journey could be read on her face.