The older man's granite-like features soften just a bit. "You seem to be in a good mood lately."
I quickly get rid of my smile, and Lou laughs.
"It's a boy, I take it?"
I growl in denial, but this only makes Lou start whistling like he's gotten the better of me.
Grrr.
Lou drops me off at the clubhouse at my request, and I head straight to the locker room to swap my clothes for a one-piece. I always feel like a poser whenever I'm walking around the clubhouse, and today isn't any different. Nik is the only reason I'm a member here, and since membership comes with $1,000 worth of noncumulative consumables that renews every month, I don't ever want the billionaire to think I'm letting his money go to waste.
I make sure every dollar of my consumables is spent, but I'm also just as careful at not spending even a single penny over it.
One of the pool bar attendants immediately comes over to my table. "Welcome back, Ms. Raptis."
"Hey, Chuck." We're all on first-name basis here, with how often I've been coming here, plus Nik making it clear in an official work memo that I'm part of his family.
"Wanna give today's special a try?"
"Only if it fits my budget."
He grins at the way I use air quotes on the last word. "It does, don't worry."
My phone rings just as Chuck walks away, and the sound startles me into answering the call without checking the screen. "Hello?"
"Oh my God, Lei," a voice shrieks into my ear. "I just heard from Daria!"
I nearly drop my phone.
Io?
Why is she calling me all of a sudden? Isn't it still like midnight there? Can't this wait for next morning or—-
Trauma erupts out of nowhere to seize my throat in a chokehold.
Oh God.
I'm suddenly back where I'm started, and I'm frozen in my seat with terror.
What if this is it?
I've been hell-bent distracting myself so I can have a normal life, when all along I should've been focused on my sister and keeping an eye out for any signs of her cancer returning?
My head starts to pound, but I do my best to ignore the pain.
"Io?" My voice sounds shaky even to my ears. "Are you okay?"
Io only laughs. "Don't you try changing the subject." Her voice turns expectant. "Tell me then. Is it true? Andie says you've starteddating."
Why are we talking about 'dating' when she'sdying?
"I can't believe my little sister is all grown up now," my sister exclaims. "And I know this is going to sound stupid, but I just have to ask."
My heart beats triple time.
Here it is.
She probably wants to know when she can meet this nonexistent guy I'm dating, and it's because her cancer is back, and—-