Page 92 of Mr. Dangerous

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Naomi

Ihungup the phone and raked my fingers throughmyhair.

Alice stood from the breakfast bar and took her plate to the sink, tight-lipped. There was a clatter when she set her plate down that made mewince.

When Alice turned back, she asked, "Did Rob ever help you get those otherclients?"

"I'm sure he will," I said. "He's busy, Alice. His dad is in thehospital."

"I know. If it were our dad in the hospital, the world would come to a crashing haltforus."

I didn't like Alice's tone. I left my eggs on the bar and began to unload the dishwasher. That way my sister could stop leaving dishes behind for me to do. I had always liked my job well enough. I liked when I took a break from the office work to do something physical, concrete, something where theafterwas so markedly different from thebefore.So why did it suddenly seem like crap, cleaning up after this houseful of people I wasstuckwith?

I said, "I think I'm going to go out foraswim."

Alice knelt by the dishwasher to lift the plates out of the bottom rack. She sighed, but didn't sayanything.

"What?"

"I just." Alice sighed. "Tell me what your wild and crazy accusations are,Naomi."

"Itoldyou--"

"Well, I have my own ideas," Alice said. "I'm not stupid, Naomi. So why don't you just talktome?"

I stood up, sliding in the dishwasher rack so I could lean in towards her. "Rob's grandmother all but told me that it would be better for both of us if Rob and I weren't...youknow."

Alice raised his eyebrows. "Thatclassistbee."

"I know," Iwhisperedback.

"You should date someone who would give you nicein-laws."

"Rob and I aren't even dating,really."

"You should date someone who would give you nicedates."

"I know!" I said. "I am crystal clear that's what I deserve. The problem is whatIwant."

"YouwantRob."

I didn't like hearing that said aloud. "I wish I didn't. Also? She called me ahussy."

"You know I'm all for you having a fling," Alice said, "But is it worth it? At this point? WhenRobgoes..."

"I know. And I knowhewill."

The look Alice gave me was pitying, and it made me want to throw myself off the deck for that ocean swim rather than meet mysister'seyes.

"Maybe it's not as bad as it all seems. Maybe he'll be willing to do something to fix what Rebecca's done. Help with clients like he said.” Alice’s words were optimistic, but the way she leaned against the counter with her arms crossed and her tired tone of voice made it clear she didn’t believe it. “Or buy out the company... Mom and Dad need to retire. You don't want this to be yourwholelife."

"What are you talkingabout?"

"You don't," Alice said. "Someone had to carry on the family business. You drew the short straw. But maybe you could do something else with your life? Don't youthink?"

"I don't know what else Iwoulddo."

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