Page 21 of Not As Advertised

I’d zoned out briefly when Claire and Abbie started talking about some book series they had in common, so I was startled when Claire announced they had to go.

“What, already?” I hadn’t felt this calm since leaving LA. The next five days of high-stakes meetings couldn’t rival this slice of contentment surrounded by sugar-addled companions.

“Aidennnn. Heath and I are going to Anime Expo, remember? I took a week off from my very pressing research schedule to gorge myself on popular culture.”

Having no recollection of what she’d no doubt explained over video call in the past few weeks, I had filed her plans as a “convention” and moved on.

“Really! Wow. I’ve always wanted to go to FanimeConin San Jose but wasn’t allowed. My mother always thought it was a waste of time. Then, it was just too expensive after college. You two are going to have a great time.” Abbie perked up at the change in topic.

Clearly, Abbie knew what Claire was so excited about. Her admission about her mother made my chest ache, thinking about a teenage Abbie being disappointed to miss out on something she clearly loved.

“Aww. Too bad you can’t make it work while you’re here. Maybe next time.” Claire offered Abbie a small smile.

We stood to make our goodbyes. I gathered Claire into my arms and held tightly. I recognized she was an adult now, but it didn’t stop my big brother instincts from roaring to life when I thought of her out in the chaos of the city without me.

“Be safe, okay? This convention thing sounds crazy busy. Love you,” I whispered in her ear.

Predictably, she groaned theatrically at my overprotective comments. “Geez, okay. I know, I know. I will.” Claire squeezed me tighter for a moment before echoing my “love you” quietly back to me.

To everyone’s surprise, Claire wrapped her arms around Abbie next, murmuring in her ear. Abbie’s cheeks flushed as she nodded to whatever Claire had said.

I offered Heath a firm handshake accompanied by a stare that said, “You watch over her, okay?” His responding nod acknowledged he understood my meaning.

I was aware of Abbie watching me again as I stared at Claire and Heath’s retreating back as they left the store. I wondered how much she had learned about me during this short meeting.

I’d felt a wall had come down between us, thanks to wrecking-ball Claire. The carefully drawn lines of professionalism I’d clung to so desperately these past weeks felt blurred.

In the span of an innocuous coffee date, the landscape between us had shifted with the small truths about our respective childhoods coming to light.

“Shall we head back to the hotel?” I asked.

“Yes. Sure.” She, too, looked more than a little unsure of how to behave now. There was consolation that I wasn’t alone in this new confusion, but it also meant that she felt something on her side, making this problem even more real.

We made our way out of the café and saw our driver waiting for us. Pleased that we wouldn’t have to stand on the curb making awkward small talk, I ushered Abbie into the back seat.

Once we were back on the road to our hotel, Abbie turned toward me with a smile.

“Your sister is amazing. Thanks for inviting me.”

I knew Claire was likable in general, but it warmed something in me that Abbie genuinely seemed to like her.

In true big brother fashion, I rolled my eyes in a required put-upon gesture.

“I’m glad you enjoyed hearing all about my teenage humiliations. I’m going to need to swear you to secrecy, Abbie,” I grumbled but didn’t hide the amusement in my tone.

“Your secrets are safe with me,” she swore as solemnly as she could while trying not to laugh.

A natural bridge between who we were to each other before entering the café and the knowledge we held about each other now could not be found. There wasn’t a way for me to address it, anyway. And I found I didn’t want to rip away this small sense of intimacy that hung tenuously between us.

I knew I’d have to find a way to shift things back to wholly professional before long. We weren’t even in the position to be friends. Certainly, nothing I felt toward Abbie was in the realm of friendship.

I needed time to think. For that, I had to get Abbie safely to her room at the hotel and use the remaining hours of the day to get my head on straight.

Given enough time and space, I could think clearly again. If Abbie also felt the shift between us as something significant, we’d be in trouble.

I had no problems denying myself things I wanted. My childhood and teenage years were a story of hard decisions and going without. But I realized more and more that saying “no” to Abbie Summers was a test I wasn’t sure I would pass.

I snoozed my alarm no less than three times the morning after arriving in LA, unable to pry my eyes open and face my nerves about the coming day.

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