Page 16 of Cluelessly Yours

Don’t get me wrong, I love my sister…when she’s not being annoyingly manipulative, that is. Hanging out with her is always a witty and engaging time. If my love life weren’t her fixation, but rather the romantic activities of some other innocent schlub, I’m sure I’d enjoy the tenacity of her hounding.

“Yeah, I know he’s a doctor, but he’s, like, a world-renowned pediatric anesthesiologist, Sammy. Some people really just excel, you know? If he told me to dance right now, I’d do it.”

“Well, then…” I pause and push a gritted-teeth, overtly sugary smile to my face. “I guess that means you’re feeling good, huh? I was worried I might need to stay longer just to make sure you’re feeling up to being alone, but since Noah’s a Marvel character and you’re ready to impress Fred Astaire, I guess I can be on my way.”

“Fine, fine.” Brooke eyes me with annoyance. “You can relax. You don’t have to leave. I’ll quit, I swear.”

“Thank you.” I sigh appreciatively. “Let’s just…have some sister time. Please. In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t really need any other pressure-cooker situations in my life.”

Brooke looks half-baked on her way to saying something else about howthe right person helps your life, but she stops herself. Evidently, my face is correctly conveying how capable I feel of rage.

“Okay. Sister time, it is.” She fiddles with the edges of the quilt over her lap. “So…uh…seen any good movies lately?”

“Seriously, Brooke?”

“What? I’m rusty when it comes to everyday conversation! I spend most of my time alone with my characters! You know that.”

“You live with Chase. That doesn’t help?”

She shrugs. “He finds my psychobabble cute and endearing.”

I snort. “Of course he does.”

“Whatever. At least tell me you’re going to do something when you leave here. This has to be your first Saturday off—sans kids—in ages. You should go out. Get your nails done. Go for a walk in the park. Take yourself to dinner. Something, for Pete’s sake.”

“Yes. Yes,obviously, I’m going to dosomething.”

She stares at me for a good five seconds before a barking laugh barrels out of her lungs. “Oh my God!Liar!You have nothing planned, do you?”

“I’ll do something, I swear!”

“What? Tell me right now.”

“No. Stop being pushy. I’ll figure it out for myself and do something. Fun. I promise.”

Brooke hums. “O-kay.”

“I will. I’m not going to waste the night to myself. That would be dumb.”

Sure, I most definitelywasgoing to waste it on takeout and a Netflix binge on my couch, but now, all thanks to my nosy-ass sister, I feel like Ihaveto go out and do something.

“All right, Sammy.” She waves her index finger in my face. “Just know, I’m counting on you to get out there and get spicy. I’m an engaged, pregnant, frequently fainting woman. I can only cause so much excitement for myself.”

I pick up the remote and turn on the Soap Channel, where a full day of drama will play out right before my sister’s eyes. If she wants action, I’ll give it to her… It just won’t be coming from me. “There,” I say, nodding toward the TV and setting the remote beside her. “I’m sure there’ll be plenty of excitement as mafia bosses live and die and resurrect their one true love on here. Maybe it’ll be enough to keep you entertained for a while.”

She huffs out a sigh. “I don’t even understand why I’m on bed rest in the first place.”

“It’s not really bed rest, Brookie. Just a day where Dr. Cummings suggested you stay off your feet. Apparently, your iron levels being in so much flux yesterday could make you a little weaker and unsteady. It’s just a precaution. And Iknowyou’re going to do what you need to do to protect this baby, aren’t you?”

“I liked it better when I was the annoying one.”

I laugh. “Yeah, I’m sure you did.”

Brooke’s eyes start to look heavy as she stares at the TV, Carly and Sonny and the wholeGeneral Hospitalgang lulling her into a state of twilight.

A few minutes later, I rise from my chair beside her bed and lean down to kiss her on the temple. She startles slightly, but I whisper, “I’ll talk to you later, okay? Get some rest, and call me if you need anything.”

She nods and settles back into the pillow, her soft lips curving into a small smile as her favorite mafia-style enforcer—Jason—comes on the screen.

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