Page 42 of My Best Friend's Brother
Kat smiled. “You say that today, but you’re only twenty-two. Of course you don’t want kids. Give it a few years after you’re living in your California mansion by the Pacific Ocean and you have a huge backyard and no rug rats to run around in it.” She winked. “And you’ve met and married the guy of your dreams.”
Keke coughed and beat her chest with a fist. “Went down the wrong pipe,” she said, blaming the tea.
“You’re going to want a couple of mini-mes to carry on the dynasty the two of you will build.”
Keke set the cup down on a saucer and leaned back in the chair. She let her eyes wander around the room, ignoring her sister’s perceptive gaze.
“Who is he?” Kat asked bluntly.
“Hmm?”
“Don’t play coy. It’s not cute. Who’s the guy?”
Keke sighed. “There is no guy, at least…there can’t be one.”
“Why? Is it because you’re moving?”
“Not exactly, but that’s a big part of it.”
Kat got a dreamy, romantic look in her eyes. The kind that told Keke she was about to step through the looking glass into the world of Jane Austen. “Oh, I dunno. I think if it’s meant to be, then the two of you will find a way.”
“What if it shouldn’t be meant to be?”
Kat’s brows smashed together. “Huh? Why shouldn’t it be?”
Because it would literally break her best friend’s heart to be lied to, and Keke didn’t want to be the reason Pete didn’t pursue his dream of being an app developer—or going to college. Whichever one he would finally decide to do.
“Maybe the people aren’t right for each other, no matter how much they may want it,” Keke said absentmindedly. Oops. She wasn’t supposed to let that slip.
Kat smiled knowingly, and Keke braced herself for another inspirationally romantic sentence. “Well, all I know is that if it’ll be, it’ll be. You just have to trust fate and let yourself be open to the idea. Don’t close your heart, Keke.”
“You sound like a commercial I’ve seen…” Keke preferred to ignore her heart. It wouldn’t serve her well. She needed her brains and her talent to get anywhere in life. Having a heart meant it could be broken. And that would be soul-crushing. Her father had already tried sucking it out of her, and he didn’t succeed.
After a life with Mr. Kaye and his downright emotionally abusive parenting style, Keke preferred to be as cool and aloof as she possibly could. She never could win her father’s approval. Now that he was dead, she told herself she didn’t need it.
The doorbell rang.
“She’s here!” Kat jumped up and went to the door.
Who? Their sister Kori was supposed to be halfway across the world right now. Keke couldn’t wait to see—
Mom walked in, her face brightening when her eyes landed on Keke. “Oh, Keighly! It’s so good to see you.”
Keke’s attitude immediately soured. Her mother quickly embraced Keke, who fought to keep her arms down by her sides. Mom didn’t seem to notice. Keke shot her sister a “what gives?” look over their mother’s shoulder.
“I invited her here tonight so the two of you could catch up. I know you’ve been busy at camp, Keke, and I didn’t want Mom to miss you before you went to California.”
“California?” Her mother’s voice rose a few octaves. “Oh, honey! That’s amazing.” She shook Keke’s shoulders and then kissed her cheek. “I’m so happy for you! Tell me all about it.”
Keke looked at her mother like she was crazy. What had happened to the woman who could barely utter more than “obey your father”? Who always looked sullen and slightly unkempt? The woman before her had on too much blush and eye shadow, her hair done in curls that hung around her shoulders, and Keke caught the sheen of fresh polish on her nails.
“Mom?” Keke breathed.
“Yes? I’m right here, honey.” She laughed and looped her arm with Keke. “Come sit on the couch. Do you like your sister’s place? It’s just the loveliest. I practically had to kick her out of the house.” She laughed heartily. “I’m so proud of her!” She reached out and approvingly shook Kat’s arm.
“Uh, I haven’t been out of the living room, but it definitely suits her.”
“You haven’t given her the tour?” Disappointment aged Mary’s face by about ten years. Even with all the makeup on, she couldn’t hide the premature aging living with Gregory Kaye had caused. She was still in her fifties.
