Page 42 of His Ex's Little Sister
17
Robin
I’m riddledwith guilt and embarrassment. My parents’ cars are not in the driveway, so I can skip a welcome home greeting with them until they get back home. I go to see Danielle at her apartment above their detached garage. It’s hard to hug her right now, but this conversation we’re about to have will bring up the past. Big, tight hugitis.
“How was the trip?” I ask her, warming her up before I dropabomb.
“Amazing,” she chirps. “But don’t worry about that. How are you? I’m so sorry to hear about the fire. God, you must have been soterrified.”
“It was truly tragic, sis. Everything’s gone. They won’t even let me enter the premises yet. I feel like I’m in limbo right now. Everything is surreal. Hey, let’s talk aboutyourtrip.”
Her face is beaming as she goes on about their visit to the Space Needle, hiking in the Mount Rainer National Park, and navigating the trails of the Hoh Rainforest. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen her this happy. The temptation to forget all about telling her anything to do with Reid crosses my mind. Is it worth it to raise the topic of Reid’s accusation? Can she handle yet another world of pain? Do I really want to let Reid come between us? I have noanswers.
Danielle points at her suitcase at one side of the bed. “I got you something. Look in the topcorner.”
I don’t deserve a gift. God, I hate feeling guilty. She sees me hovering over her half-zippered suitcase and comesbesideme.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asks. “I guess I should stop asking that question. I hate when people ask me that. And you just lost everything. I’m soinconsiderate.”
She’s inconsiderate?GoodLord.
She pulls the zipper to the main compartment the rest of the way, rummages around the upper half of the clothes, and retracts a pale pink top. “It’s a Jimi Hendrix t-shirt!” she squeals withdelight.
“Awww, thank you so much,” I tell her, trying to conceal some of the flat-out misery I’mfeeling.
Danielle has always been intuitive. She senses something is wrong, and assumes I’m disappointed. “I know he was an electric guitarist and that you’re more into acoustics, but it thought you’d love it since he’s such alegend.”
“I do love it,” I stress. “It’s gorgeous. Perfect. And my favoritecolortoo.”
She’s still not convinced. “Maybe I should have bought a few of those snow globes Mom and Dad brought back assouvenirs.”
“No, hun. I love this. I wouldn’t know what to do with trinkets. Especially now. And I’ll actually wear this t-shirt. It’sgreat,hun.”
“I’m glad you like it,” she says with a smile, finally satisfied that my weirdness has nothing to do withhergift.
With Reid’s car in the driveway, if Mom and Dad show up now, they’ll come up here while we’re talking. I can’t risk having to turning this into a super-awkward family meeting, so I bite thebullet.
“Danielle?”
“Yes?”
“I’m so sorry to have to bring this up, but can I talk to you about something that I know you’ll be upsetabout?”
She shrugs her shoulders, and her lips form a thin line. “Goahead.”
“It’s about…youandReid.”
She flops back into bed. “He’s back in town.Iknow.”
“Okay. I was also going to tell you that although he’s been a big help while you, Mom and Dad were out of town, I also think he’s a low-down,dirtyliar.”
“Some men lie. I would say Reid is more secretive thanaliar.”
“Hmmm. Well, he lied about you, and I’m madashell.”
She lifts her torso off the bed, holding up her weight with her elbows. “Aboutwhat?”
“Um…” I start, but can’t bring myself tosayit.
