Page 4 of Made for Wilde
“Don’t.” I give her a warning look that would make most people flinch. “Just don’t.”
Her mouth closes, but the concern doesn’t leave her eyes.
She knows better than to push when it comes to my ex. That doesn’t stop her from trying every few months. But the last thing I need right now is to think about Vanessa. Let alone talk about her.
The silence stretches between us. Dana picks up her mug and takes another sip. I stare out the window at the trees.
“So, are you going to help me or not?” she asks finally.
I look back at her. At the worry lines that have appeared since she took this job. At the exhaustion she tries to hide behind her professional makeup.
Worthington Sports is struggling and Dana is under pressure to turn it around fast. The last thing she needs is me making her life harder.
“How many students?” I ask.
“Eight, maybe ten. Twenty at the most. Mostly novices.”
“Jesus Christ.”
“It’s good money, Koda.” She leans forward. “And we need it if we want to keep the gym running. I wouldn’t ask if there was anyone else.”
I drain the rest of my coffee then set the mug down with a thud.
“Fine.” The word comes out rough. “But I’m not babysitting anyone. They show up. They work. Or they leave.”
Relief floods her face. “Thank you.”
She reaches down and pulls an envelope from her bag, then sets it on the table between us.
“What the hell is that?”
“Your contract for the class.” She slides it toward me. “Standard instructor agreement.”
“I’m not signing any fucking papers.”
A smirk tugs at the corner of her mouth. “I already signed them for you. This is just your copy.”
Of course she did.
My sister has been making executive decisions about my life since she could talk.
Some things never change.
I leave the envelope on the table without touching it. “You’re unbelievable.”
“I believe the word you’re looking for is ‘effective.’” Dana stands and picks up her mug. “First class is tomorrow morning. Nine o’clock. Don’t be late.”
“When am I ever late?”
“Never.” She carries both mugs to the sink and rinses them out. “That’s why I love you.”
I follow her to the door. She pulls it open and steps out onto the porch. The cold air rushes in fast. Dana turns to face me, and before I can step back, she leans in and kisses me on the cheek. Then she wraps her arms around me in a quick hug.
“Love you, big brother.”
I grunt in response.
She laughs as she pulls away. “I’ll take that as ‘I love you too.’”
