Page 59 of The Marriage Narrative
“No, wait, don’t tell me yet!” She hopped to her feet and held her hand out. “Let’s just go.”
He slid his fingers in between hers, linking them together like a perfect lock and key.
Jordan
Zinnia walked with an actual bounce in her step. If they weren’t holding hands, she’d probably be skipping. His face hurt from trying not to smile at her. If he’d known “coworking” would make her this happy, he would’ve started weeks ago.
“So, overall,” he began, “how do you feel about your schedule?”
She kissed him on the cheek. “It’s fine.”
“Do you want to change it? We can.”
“AND YOU CAN FUCK RIGHT OFF WITH THAT BULLSHIT!”
Zinnia and Jordan both stopped short and turned toward the house. On the other side of beatific French doors in one of the many entertaining rooms, Wylie and Lulie were viciously arguing, hurling insults back and forth at the top of their lungs.
“Should we do something about that?” Zinnia asked. “And bywe, I meanyou. I’m not going in there.”
“Not necessarily.” Jordan grimaced. Sometimes, the best course of action was to just let the twins have at it. They’d get it out of their system and go back to being inseparable before theday was over. “We’re not even supposed to be here right now. They might be setting something up. It’s better if we just go.”
And then Lulie picked up an antique vase.
Jordan flung the door open, sprinting through the room as she pulled back and threw it at Wylie’s head. His brother ducked and it shattered against the wall. Still in a crouch, he paused only for a second before launching himself forward to tackle her.
“No! Not doing that— No!” Jordan pushed him back.
“Did you see what she did?”Wylie seethed with anger, face turning splotchy red.
“I know! I’ll handle it! Walk it off.”
Lulie spat a chain of insults and curse words so intricate Jordan did a double take. She might need to go back to writing poetry becausegod almighty. He stared at her wide-eyed, jaw almost on the floor.
“What the hell is going on in here?” His dad appeared in the interior doorway.
Wylie pointed at Lulie. “She’s always fucking running her mouth about shit she doesn’t know anything about.”
“Oh, like you do? He’s been lying since he got here, but you’re toostupidto figure it out!”
“Who’s lying?” Damon asked.
“Alfie!”
“Me?!How am I in it?”
“Eric can’t visit because no one can know about Zinnia! Alfiepaidher to marry him to get back at Bea for breaking up with him!”
Jordan’s jaw dropped again. “The fuck are you talking about? That doesn’t even make sense!”
“You two don’t even sleep in the same bed! She doesn’t evenlikeyou!” Lulie glared at a flighty-looking Zinnia, who was still standing outside, before turning her wrath back on Jordan. “Youshould’ve just fucking married Bea and none of this would’ve happened!You ruined everything!”
Jordan flinched as if she’d tried to hit him too. His ears rang, jaw aching and chest collapsing like a sinkhole ready to swallow his heart whole.
It didn’t matter how old Lulie got. He’d always see her as his baby sister with a gap-toothed smile and hair in two French braids. She used to beg him for tea parties and piggyback rides. Every Christmas in January, she demanded he open her presents first because there was no point in saving the best for last—and they were. When did she grow up to be so venomous and volatile?How?
“Hey.” Zinnia slid in between him and Lulie. “I don’t know who youthinkyou’re talking to, but it sure as hell ain’t him.”
He’d only heard her sound so cold and self-assured one time before. He touched her arm. “Zin—”
