Page 135 of The Comeback Summer

My heart constricts. Until this moment, I don’t think I fully understood how deeply she feels this responsibility. The pressure to look out for me, even now. I’ve taken it for granted that she’ll always be there.

“Maybe,” I say slowly, “instead of being big sister and little sister, we can just be... sisters.”

It’s a subtle change, but Libby seems to understand what I mean, because she gives a tentative smile. “It might take me a while to unlearn some habits—”

“Same.”

“But I like the idea.”

Silence descends between us again. We’re both treading carefully, navigating through years spent in our comfortable roles as sisters and business partners.

I take a deep breath, then bring up the elephant in the room: “What does all this mean for the Freedman Group?”

“Well, I’ve been thinking,” Libby says, staring up at the ceiling. “We’ve been working so hard to keep it running that we haven’t actually discussed if weshould.”

I sit bolt upright. This is the last thing I expected Libby to say. “Wait—what?”

She shrugs. “I never gave myself the chance to consider any other career. And don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved so much of this job, but lately, I’ve wondered if I started working here because it was expected. And because it was scary to decide whatIwanted to do. I could just follow in GiGi’s footsteps.”

I had no idea my sister felt this way, too. She’s always seemed like she knew exactly where she was going in life.

“Maybe we should consider a different direction,” I say, motioning to the card from GiGi to Lou. “We can create a new path together.”

Libby faces me, her eyes solemn. “Or maybe separately.”

A rush of fear steals my breath away. Yes, I want more freedom to explore my creative side, to step out of my narrow role in our partnership. But doing itallon my own? That’s terrifying.

“What Lou said about the roles we’ve been playing as sisters,” Libby continues. “I worry that if we keep working together, we’ll continue to fall back into them.”

I nod carefully, thinking about how easy it is for me to let my sister take the lead, to lean on her, to stay quiet and not speak up.

“I don’t know,” I say. “That’s a huge decision.”

“We don’t have to decide today,” Libby says, “but let’s start talking about options.Allour options.”

“What about our challenges?” I ask, shifting subjects. Does Libby want to abandon those, too? “I’m supposed to do six more dates.”

“Do you want to go on them?” Libby asks.

“No. If Josh and I don’t work out...” A sharp pain strikesmy heart. “Well. I’ll figure out what to do from that point on. But right now, I don’t want to date anyone else.”

“Then you should stop,” Libby says firmly. It’s surprising to hear her say those words. My sister, who always finishes what she starts.

“What about you? We don’t have to do the Down & Dirty if you’re not feeling good about it.”

“I want to do the race. I don’t care about proving anything to Lou—but I want to prove to myself that I can finish it.”

I reach over and link my pinky with hers, my heart glowing with pride. “Then I’ll be right by your side.”

Crush Your Comfort Zone

THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE COMPANION JOURNAL

WEEK 12

As you near the end of this challenge, reflect on what you’ve learned. These twelve weeks are only the first step on a path of lifelong growth. Make a plan for the future. Now what?

Hannah, 8/21

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