It makes good sense.
A few CEOs and business owners have been inducted into the Business Hall of Fame, and quite a few start-ups have been included in the Fast Track Development Program.
I don’t qualify for either, but it doesn’t hurt to show up.
“Are you okay?”
Adele's voice travels over the tall glasses she sets on the table.
“Yeah... Yeah. I am.”
“How are things with you?”
“Good,” I mutter absently.
“And the new business location?”
I raise my eyes.
“I can’t complain.”
“It’s better, I imagine,” she says, folding napkins. “I know you and I are different, but it would kill me if I didn’t have a place to go to every day and interact with people.”
“Yeah, yeah... It’s better,” I say, not sounding very convinced.
“I’m sure one of these days you’ll also find a man to fit your taste,” she says, smiling warmly.
Dear Adele. She’s still hoping.
Somehow, I manage to grin as well.
“I’m sure I will,” I lie, my gaze flying low, drifting over her hands and napkins.
The doorbell chimes, sending a shockwave through my stomach and tightening my chest with apprehension.
We both whip our heads toward the door.
Mark cuts his way through a group of people and swings the door open. A woman’s silhouette fills the doorway, and I know it’s her before I see her.
She takes a step in and fully comes into view, looking sharp and put together, a fake smile lining her lips.
Cordially, Mark hugs her. My breath catches as she starts talking to someone standing behind her.
It can’t be who I think it is.
Time stretches as I wait.
My sister turns around after a few more moments, the door closing behind her. Whoever she was talking to is now gone. A sigh falls from my lips as Adele swings by me, hurrying to meet her.
This is going to be awkward.
My breathing seems to settle, following a normal pace, when the door opens again. Tense, I watch a broad-shouldered man entering the small foyer.
Abel?
What is he doing here?
Breathlessly, I watch Mark tearing away from Adele and Evelyne and shifting to Abel. They shake hands and pat each other on their backs, exchanging a few words.