Page 83 of Take Two

“What the hell have you ever had to be insecure about, Terri? You’re beautiful and always the smartest person in the room. You could have done way better than Spence,” I tell her.

“Maybe I could have, but I thought success not only meant doing well professionally but in a relationship too. He presented well. Ivy league, handsome.” I scoff and roll my eyes at that. “Intelligent. He has this ability to take control of a room. Or so I thought. The reality is he’s narcissistic and needs to be the center of attention. And I know why he’s always had it out for you. He told me when we were in an argument about a year ago.”

She stops talking, and I stare into her eyes, eager to hear this. “Well?” I ask when she just stares.

“He met you before me. It was at a party your dad’s company was hosting, and he was there. He said he approached you, but you blew him off.”

“What? When was this? I don’t remember ever meeting him until you brought him home,” I say, dismissing that as bullshit.

“It was at a holiday party. You were your dad’s date, and I met you there. Remember we stayed with Miles and saw The Nutcracker the next day?” Memories of that Christmas come back. It was one of the last good holidays I spent with my sister.

“I do, but I don’t remember Spence.”

“Well, he’s still bitter about it,” she says.

“So, he’s been holding a grudge and actively sought to destroy our relationship because I rejected his advances? Is that what you’re saying?” She nods but doesn’t say anymore. I throw my head back and let out a belly laugh. “His ego is that fragile?”

“Apparently. I was so stunned when he said that to me that I hit him,” she whispers with eyes wide. “Then I reached back and hit him again. His nose bled. God, it felt good.” She goes quiet again until she says, “I’ve reassessed success in my professional and personal life. I can find a new job. I’m not worried about that, but the type of man I want is so different. All that I require is that he cares about me. He's honest and he never cheats on me. Bonus points if he looks at me like I set the moon.”

“Well, I hope you get that.”

“And I want my sister to be my friend.” She inches closer and takes my hand again.

“Why? What happened to Cosima and Gracie?” I ask of her two best friends.

“We’re not friends anymore.” I can only imagine that Spence managed to push her friends away too. “Long story short, he convinced Cosima and her husband to make these investments. They gave him the money, and he never invested in a thing. Hepropositioned Gracie for sex. Neither of them will speak to me anymore.”

“But Gracie is a lesbian,” I say. “Spence knows this.”

“Apparently he thought his micro-penis could change her.”

Stunned speechless, all I can do is stare. I want to scream at her and ask why she was so stupid to marry this man who managed to isolate her from her sister and friends.

“For the record, I hold you responsible for the state of our relationship, not Spence,” I say to her. “I want to make that clear, but I’m sorry about Cosima and Gracie. They were good friends to you.”

“Agreed. It’s on me. The man’s an asshole, but I allowed it.”

She looks into my eyes, and I stare back into hers. The truth is, I’ve missed my sister. Our relationship has never been perfect, but it was good. We were close, and I’ve missed that. I think of all the things that Charlie and Colt have been through. All the things Charlie has confided in me that he did. Colt might be a controlling pain, but I can see how Charlie’s behavior could have led him to cut him off, and if they can mend things, maybe I can try.

“We can try, but—” The words are barely out of my mouth before she lets out a loud yell and takes me into her arms. She squeezes me until I say, “On a probationary basis.”

“Whatever you say,” she says, squeezing me again.

“And when you get a new job, you’re paying for everything for a year,” I say.

“Two years,” she quickly agrees. “Sleepover tonight.” She lets me go and runs around my apartment like an excited kid.

Chapter 44

Charlie

“Look at who I have in my bed,” Violet says, and I get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. She moves the phone over, and Terri waves excitedly into the screen.

“Charlie!” she screams. “Hi!” Violet moves the phone away before I can respond, but I manage to yell out a hello beforeI hear a door close and she walks down the hall to the guest bedroom.

“Darlin’, don’t joke about having someone in your bed again, okay?” I say, smiling, but the idea is still so upsetting. I guess this is what jealousy feels like. “I miss you like crazy. I hate this,” I say. I drop myself on the bed and stare at her beautiful face. “But I’m happy to see you spending time with Terri.”

“She’s on probation,” Violet says. “We talked, and I’m willing to give her another chance. She’s been here all day. Waited here when I had dinner with Colt and Vickie. What did my dad want?” she asks.

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