AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“When’s the last time you wrote something, Gem?”
“Shut up.”
“Just saying,” he murmured. “I’ve been pestering you to get back into writing for years.”
“So this is like when you stole my bike, thinking I was done with it because I hadn’t ridden in a year?”
“I didn’t write a book.”
“But you’re the guy in this video.”
He considered lying. Considered it for less than one second, because this was Gemma and he’d never do that to her. So he told her the truth.
When he finished the story, Gemma said, “This woman couldn’t get her book published, so she stuck a male name on it and it sold? Figures. Okay, I forgive you. You got stuck in a bad place with your business partner—I told you he was a creep—and you fixed it by helping this woman get out of her bad place. Which is such a Chris thing to do. On second thought, no, I still hate you. You’re too good. Tell me she’s hot, and that’s the real reason you did it.”
When he hesitated, she sputtered, “Oh my God, it is? She’s hot, and that’s why—”
“I needed her friend’s help, and she seemed like a nice person stuck in a bad situation.”
“Who is also hot.” Gemma burst out laughing. “Okay, I hate you a little less now. You’re still human. She does know you’re not this cool Zane dude, right?”
“Yes, she knows my Clark Kent side, the accountant who is secretly a dork.”
“Oh, it’s no secret, bro. Not to anyone who knows you. Okay, so you’re playing author for this woman, and yes, I will keep quiet about that. But if I figured it out, someone else will.”
“We’re working on an exit strategy.”
“Good. In the meantime, I’m downloading the book. It’ll give me something to read tonight.”
“It’s one in the morning, Gem.” He paused. “You okay?”
“Fine, fine. Just not sleeping great.”
He sat up. “Oh shit. The divorce. The negotiations started, didn’t they?”
“Yep, the fun has begun, including Alan showing up and parking his twenty-three-year-old girlfriend and eleven-month-old baby in the waiting room. You know, I might not be the math whiz in the family, but if that kid is eleven months old, and Alan walked out sixteen months ago…”
“I’m so sorry, Gem.”
“Eh, don’t worry. I’m totally using it for the divorce. What an idiot, huh? Couldn’t even hide the kid for a little longer.”
Chris’s heart ached for his sister. He knew her marriage had been worse than she’d ever let on, and he felt incredibly guilty about that—his whole family did—but Gemma was Gemma. If she’d made a mistake marrying Alan, she’d soldier through and handle it herself. Even now Chris couldn’t get her to talk about it.
“Do you need anything?” he said. “I could—”
“According to my insomniac digging on Zane Remington, you are headed for Los Angeles tomorrow. Even if you weren’t, I’m fine.”
“I’m sorry I forgot about the divorce proceedings, and I’ll call you every day to see how you’re doing.”
“Ugh, you’re such an annoyingly perfect little brother. Fine. Call. But only if you share author-tour dish.”
“Only if you consider writing again.”
“Fine. Maybe. Whatever. So about this woman you like. Have you baked for her yet?”
“Baked for her?”
“That’s your secret weapon, Chris. Bake her something.”
