Page 136 of Lemon Crush

By the time she said “Ciao, bambina,” Morgan was crying again. But oddly, I felt lighter. It was all out there now. Whatever came next, we were finally sharing it together. As sisters.

“As far as I can see, she managed to get what she wanted from both of us,” I told her. “You went to Italy with her to have an adventure. I finished my book, I’m racing her carandI’mattempting to get a life. Pretty sneaky when you think about it.”

Morgan sniffed and leaned into me. “I secretly disliked that race for at least two years, you know.”

“I know.” Mom might have mentioned it.

“After the first race, I wanted to celebrate him surviving cancer together. At a resort with umbrella drinks, waterfalls and couple massages.”

“I seem to recall you going to several resorts together in the last few years.”

“Yeah, well, when it comes to time with him, I’m greedy.” She sat up straight again. “But his loyalty to his friends and his passion for whimsy are what make him who he is.”

“You said the word. Say it again so I can record it. Whimsy.”

She stuck out her tongue.

“That’s why he’s the right man for me. I love him to distraction, and he is the perfect balance between you and me.” When I raised my brow, she explained, “Eccentric and creative, but solid and responsible. I know I need some eccentricity in my life. Without it, without you and Mom, I got so focused on my goals and lists that I forgot what being silly felt like. I forgot to dance and put on ridiculous outfits and laugh until my sides ached. UntilGene.”

“Aww. You’re welcome.”

Her smile was watery and wry. “Yes, thank you for forcing me to fill out a dating profile and then poke a stranger online without knowing whether or not he was a serial killer who just happened to like the same books I did.” She hesitated. “I never would have told you to poke Wade.”

I tried not to wince at that. “Sure you don’t want to reword that statement?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Because he’s your friend?”

“No. Because he’s not enough like me.”

My double take almost gave me whiplash. “What? He’stoomuch like you. He’s too attractive. Too stable. Too reliable. He’s?—”

“Too hesitant to go after what he really wants,” she finished pointedly. “You’re living proof of that.”

“The man who owns a small section of the neighborhood doesn’t go after what he wants?”

“None of that is for him.”

“What doesthatmean?”

She looked like she was trying to find the right words to explain herself. “If you went inside and woke up Yvonne to ask her about Wade, she would praise him for being the man of the family. She might also tell you that she wishes he had more fun and followed his passions, and that she blames his father for that. For making Wade feel responsible for everyone’s happiness but his own.”

“And why would she think that?” I asked. Wade had told me about the text message and his father days ago, but I was pretty sure he’d downplayed how deeply it had all affected him.

“Because it’s true. Wade’s dad was a trucker who cheated a lot and never came home to be with his kids. Basically, he was the reason all country songs were invented.”

Bernie had never mentioned her father. Neither had Wade until the other night.

“Sounds like a prize.”

“He used traveling as an excuse. His get-out-of-responsibility-free card. It affected Wade a lot. He set out to be a different kind of man. One who stuck around and gave all his focus to his family. Who invested in businesses with an eye on their security and wasn’t easily swayed or distracted by his personal desires. I wasn’t surprised when he married a woman he liked instead of loved,” she continued thoughtfully. “It probably seemed like the smartest, safest decision, even though it didn’t turn out that way. You, on the other hand…”

“I’m a dumb decision?”

She took my hand again. “I actually think you’re unexpected and inspired. When you’re not hiding away in your house like a phobic hermit, you’re fun and smart and interesting. Impulsive and passionate.”

“I appreciate all the compliments, but let’s get back to why you wouldn’t poke him for me.” I was done worrying about how wrong that sounded.

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