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I sighed a big breath and closed my eyes for a few seconds. I didn’t want to yell at her, but I was ready to be done with this lecture.
“If you can accept that neither of you is perfect, that’s a good place to start.”
I clenched my jaw and said my truth. “I’ve had enough of men pulling my strings.”
“And you think it should be your turn to be the string-puller?”
Yeah. “I’m not going to be the doormat again.”
“Maybe you should try for the middle ground.”
I didn’t see the middle ground between being thought of as a liar or not, but I agreed anyway. “Maybe.”
“One more thing. Men protect their pride. They’ll try to get you back only so many times.” She lowered her voice. “Lisa’s been calling him.”
“So?” My stomach lurched, but I couldn’t allow anything to deter me from my destiny.
“If you’re willing to try for the middle ground, it’ll be up to you to make a move and lay out the rules, the expectations. That would be you being the master string-puller.”
The noisy old truck Pris had borrowed from her dad pulled up outside.
I nodded toward the window. “Sounds like Pris is back.” She was going to save me from more useless sisterly advice.
Grace tapped the table. “I’ll let you get back to your work then.” Scooting her chair back, she stood. “As your big sister, it’s my job to tell you the hard truths you may not want to hear.”
I smiled, hoping this would be short. “Uh-huh.”
She pulled folded pieces of paper from her bag. “You should read this. Boone was only given the first page before he talked to you. It explains a lot.”
“Thanks but no thanks.” I put my hands in my pockets. “I’m over the whole thing. Moving on.”
She shoved it at me again. “This could have all been avoided if you two had taken the time to talk to each other and get the whole story.”
When I realized she wasn’t going to give up, I took the sheets, folded them smaller and stuffed the wad in my pocket.
“I get that Kevin was terrible and probably left you with some damage you don’t even realize you have. It’s okay to be afraid, but don’t give up on happiness because of that. Have more confidence in yourself and in Boone. A relationship takes cooperation and teamwork. If you’re confident enough in yourself to give a little, you’d be surprised what you can get back in return.”
No confidence, my ass. I’m confident. Confident that I know what I want.I escorted her to the door and opened it.
Pris was at the base of the steps. “Hey, Grace. Checking up on your little sister?”
“Just boring her with how wonderful it was to have a month off in the Caribbean.”
Pris nodded. “Wish I had the time for that—and a boss nice enough to spring for it.”
“Boone’s insanely generous,” Grace agreed, looking pointedly at me before stepping down the stairs.
“We’re doin’ girls’ night at the Barrel tonight. Want to join us?”
Grace backed toward her car. “I’ve got date night with Dirk tonight, but count me in next time.”
“You got it,” Pris yelled as she came up the stairs. “I wish I had a sister like her,” she said, closing the door.
“You wish you had any sister,” I corrected.
“True. But one loyal enough to quit her job to stand up for me? That’s the kind of sister I want.”
I stopped mid-stride. “She what?”
