Page 133 of You and Me, For Real
“Oh good, you’re up. Coffee’s ready if you’d like some.” My sister’s wearing denim shorts, the ends razored, and an oversized T-shirt. Her hair’s contained in a similar messy bun.
“I’d love some.” I go straight to the counter, grab an empty mug next to the coffee maker, and pour, filling my cup to the rim. “What time did you get up?”
“Not long ago, maybe thirty minutes before you. I made some eggs and bacon. Want some?”
I slide onto one of the two barstools at her tiny kitchen island. “Yes, please.” I barely had time to snack on any of the food at the gala last night, my stomach too busy being tied in knots. And afterward, well, my appetite disappeared completely.
Cecily slides a plate across the counter and then dishes up her own plate. She grabs a mug resting next to the stove. “Sleep okay?” She slurps her coffee and slips onto the barstool next to me.
“I did. Thanks for letting me stay.”
She bumps her shoulder into mine, jostling my coffee. “That’s what sisters are for.”
I smile, appreciating our growing friendship. Speaking of, “I hope it’s okay, but I invited a friend over.”
She looks at me over her mug, “Oh, really? Would this friend happen to be male or female?”
“Female. Wren Reynolds.”
She spews her coffee onto her plate and the counter. “Are you serious?”
I laugh. “I figured famous people wouldn’t affect you anymore.”
“Are you kidding? I love her. I love her music. I love everything about her.” She mops up her coffee with a napkin.
“Good. She’ll be here in an hour or two.” Knowing I added a detour to her venture, it might take her longer to get here than she suspected.
Cecily stands. “Seriously? Then I need to clean.” She rushes around the kitchen, throwing a pan in the sink, opening and slamming cabinets, and putting away cooking supplies.
I laugh. “It’s fine. She doesn’t care. I promise.”
“I care!” Cecily reaches up and feels her hair. “Oh my gosh. My hair.” She looks down at her T-shirt. “My clothes! I have to change.” She heads toward the hallway.
“Cecily, it’s fine. I promise she won’t care.”
“But I do! I can’t let a fabulously styled popstar in my house looking like a hobo.” She starts ripping out her bun. “I’m going to shower.”
I give up trying to convince her and sip my coffee. “Okay.”
She pops her head back out of the hallway. “Oh, and I let the puppies out this morning and made sure they had food and water.”
I smack my forehead. I’d selfishly forgotten about them. “Thank you!”
“No problem! ’Kay, showering now.” She slams the bathroom door shut.
Teddy sits obediently by my side, hoping for a piece of bacon. I slip him a piece and open the patio door, he runs out to the puppies playing in the yard. I laugh as he bumps Cocoa with his nose, she tumbles through the grass, only for Chip to come up behind Teddy and start nipping at his back legs. They’ve been with me for over six weeks, it’s going to be hard to separate the three of them. Then again, I wouldn’t have to if I could get the rescue up and running.
A jolt of excitement runs through me. I grab my phone and check my Venmo account for results from the gala. I scream and collapse onto the floor.
Cecily hollers from the shower. “Ash, you okay?”
My pulse races, blood whooshes in my ears as my hands go numb. I drop the phone and stare into space.
Cecily comes out, a towel haphazardly covering her front, shampoo in her hair. “What? What is it? Everything okay?”
“My rescue. The gala. It raised over a million dollars.”
She squints her eyes and swipes shampoo from her forehead. “That’s good, right?”
