Page 156 of His Reckoning

“Okay …”

“You’ll never guess what Jason just did.”

Jason.

My brother-in-law. The unofficial golden child of the family who is not even their own child.

“He made partner,” she says proudly. “Top partner actually. They just announced it today.”

I tuck a strand of loose hair behind my ear. “That’s great.”

“He’s only thirty-five, Kayla. That’s practically unheard of.”

“Mmhmm.”

“He’s going to be making an incredible salary now. Your sister is over the moon.”

Of course she is. I rub my temple.

“So, what’s new with you?” my mom asks.

There’s a pause. I already know this conversation isn’t actually about catching up.

It’s about comparison.

“Well,” I say slowly, “Melissa moved out of our place.”

“Now she found a good man.”

“Yeah.”

“So, what are you going to do now?”

I hesitate for half a second.

“Our lease was up anyway. I’m living with a friend,” I say finally.

There’s silence on the other end.

Then, “A friend?”

“Just temporarily. Until I find something I can afford.”

The sigh that comes through the phone is loud enough to make my shoulders tense.

“Kayla,” she says carefully, “I just don’t understand why you insist on doing everything the hard way.”

I stare out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the city below.

“I’m not?—”

“You’re thirty,” she continues.

“You’ve been writing these … books for years now.”

“They’re doing well.”

“But are they sustainable?”