Page 83 of Show Off

“What about me?” I feel the rattle of my guard going up.

“You’re the younger brother, so in theory you’d relate to how I’ve felt overprotected.” As she pauses, I sense where this is going. “But given the circumstances with Ji-Hoon, you’ve kinda changed roles.”

“Huh.” That’s a really astute observation. “You’re right. We have.”

“Do you think he feels off-balance?” She looks away from the path to search my face. “Like maybe he wants to take care of you. Or at the very least, not be dependent on you.”

“Yeah,” I say slowly. It’s a little unnerving she reached this conclusion so fast. It’s taken me years to get there. “He said as much the other day.”

“He did?”

I pause so a pair of kids in flip-flops can pet Mouse. She loves the attention, wagging and wiggling and sending them off with a big sloppy lick. “He asked me to give him more space.”

“That’s good, then. That he’s off on an overnight date? It’s awesome you’re hearing him out and respecting what he wants.”

My heart squeezes tight in my chest. “How do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Manage to see the best in people.” Even when I don’t see it in myself. “It’s a really rare trait.”

She shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Don’t get me wrong—some people are irredeemable assholes. But mostly, I think, humans are good.”

Now I’m curious. “What makes an irredeemable asshole in your book?”

“Someone who’s rude to waitstaff and janitors.” Her answer flows so fast that I know she’s given this plenty of thought. “The willfully ignorant. Not stupid or uneducated people, but the ones who have every opportunity to learn and grow but choose not to.”

“Okay.” Now I’m intrigued. “What else?”

“Anyone who’s cruel to children or animals.” She pauses to pet Mouse before continuing. “People incapable of remorse. Men who call themselves ‘alpha males.’” The air quotes tell me she’s heard this one. “The paparazzi, of course.”

“Of course.” Gotta say I agree with that one. “What else?”

She opens her mouth to answer when a voice behind us calls out. “Lana! Thank God I caught you.”

We spin to see Mari running toward us, mismatched sandals on her feet. A pen flips out of her chignon and falls to the ground, unfurling her hair in a wild tumble. Ten feet behind her, Griffin wheels their stroller like a man chased by zombies.

“What?” Lana says. “What’s wrong?”

“Mom,” she pants, bending at the waist with her hands on her thighs. I watch the color leave Lana’s face as Mari looks up with a grim expression. “They’re here.”

CHAPTER11

CONFESSIONAL 1171.5

Judson, Lana (Public Relations Director: Juniper Ridge)

It’s weird sometimes, being part of a family legacy.

Not to be all dramatic about it. I mean we’re not British royals or the Kennedys or whatever.

But everyone’s got a role to play. Some special place in the family story where you’re the sassy one or the troubled one or the smart one or some mixed-up combination of those things.

It’s like being typecast, I guess. It’s great if you love your role, but if you don’t?

[clears throat]

Well. You work with what you’ve got is what I’m saying.

---