Page 138 of Not That Ridiculous

I made an impatient gesture at him and took his phone. “Stop threatening my customers.”

“Have a conversation with me like an adult, then! I want to know what’s going on with you!”

Now she cared? “I’ll update my Instagram when I get a minute. Why don’t you check that?”

“You don’t have Instagram. Also,wow.”

“Stop calling,” I snapped. “I’m not in the mood.”

“Fine. You won’t give me the details? I’ll call Kevin Wallis. I hear Kevin’s in the loop. I’m sure he’s got lots of interesting things to tell me. Bye.”

“Don’t you?—”

She hung up.

I hauled the phone away from my ear and growled at it. “Jasper,” I said, “I’m taking a break.”

“No problem,” he said.

“Can…? Can I have my phone back?” Martin asked.

I shoved the phone at Jasper and strode off, digging out my own phone and calling Amalie before she could follow through with her threat to call Kevin.

I whisked past a surprised Pippa and straight out the back door, letting it bang behind me.

Amalie picked up.

“Do you know how long it is since we’ve spoken?” I said.

She hesitated.

“It’s been seven months, Ames.”

“I’ve…I’ve been busy.”

“Yeah. Me too.”

Neither of us said anything for a moment. I broke first. I always did. “Why are you calling?”

“Why?Charlie! I need to know you’re okay.”

“I already told you I’m okay.”

“I want to know if you need me. If you do, I am on a plane.”

Because that would really put the cherry on this particular shit sundae. A house guest. My estranged sister, no less. Oh, and no house to put that unwanted, estranged guest in.

“I don’t need you,” I told her tersely.

“I’m coming home.”

“Did you not hear me? I said I don’t need you here.”

“Do you want me there?”

“No.” I’d learned not to want a lot of things, familial support being at the top of the list.

“Fuck it. I’m still coming.”

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