Page 127 of Falling Back to You

While I was grateful to get off the train of Noelle’s Love Life, doors and I were coming to a serious disadvantage. I’d opened enough of them lately to decide I really hated being surprised.

“Sure thing.” Who else had Dad invited for dinner? Ruby was already here, upstairs putting the finishing touches on her portfolio for Stephanie, which was due by Thanksgiving.

I limped down the hall to the entryway and swung the door open. “Can I help—?” The words died in a gurgle, and I gripped the doorway for support. “Quinn?”

My second-youngest sister stared at me in horror before her face smoothed over in an impassive glare. And I thought I had a good poker face. At twenty-three, she took after Ruby and me in resembling Mom, with blonde curls and dark chocolate eyes.

“It’s good to see you,” I said quietly. “Do you want to come in?”

“I prefer to say what I need to say out here.” Quinn’s eyes were as flinty as her tone.

The nippy autumn air cut through Cal’s hoodie as I stepped outside, closing the door behind me.

“So you’re really back. For good?”

I tugged on the hem of the hoodie, unsure of what to do with my hands. “Yeah.”

“Where’d you run to?”

“New York.”

Quinn huffed. “Big city, huh? Finally got the dream. What’d you do?”

“I’m a nurse.” Technically was, but I still had my license. “I worked in the emergency department for almost ten years.”

“Always taking care of people. Did you run away from them too?”

I swallowed hard. “Quinn—”

“No.” She held up a hand. “It’s my turn to talk. You owe me that much.”

Sunlight glinted off the azurite ring on her finger. My ring. The one I’d left her. She kept it? “Okay.”

She paced for a moment, giving me a chance to study her. My little sister had grown up into a beautiful woman. “You left us.”

“I know.”

Finally, she pivoted to face me, eyes blazing. “You left, Noelle! You abandoned us! You were gone!” Her voice cracked. An angry flush stained her neck and cheeks. “And all I wanted was for you to take me with you!”

My heart broke. Oh, Quinnie. She’d always been the quiet one, easily forgotten.

“At first I was mad at you for leaving. But then I noticed the dishes weren’t done. I couldn’t get the stain out of my favourite shirt, and Mom forgot to pick me up from school, and”—she covered her face with her hands, shoulders hunched—“I realized I’d taken you for granted. We all had. But you shouldn’t have had to leave for us to see it.” She choked on a sob. “I just wanted my big sister.”

I reached for her, but she stepped away.

“I don’t know why you came back now. Honestly, I’m not sure I care.” Quinn sniffed hard, scrubbing at the tears on her cheeks. “But you can’t waltz back in here like nothing happened.”

“I’m not, Quinn,” I said softly. “I’m sorry. So sorry.”

“It’s a little late for that.” She spun on her heel and marched down the stairs. “Tell Dad not to meddle anymore. If I’d known you were here, I wouldn’t have come.”

The gravel crunched as her wheels spun. I watched her peel out of the driveway, tears burning my eyes. If I’d known you were here, I wouldn’t have come.

Dad cleared his throat. How long had he been there? “Pot roast is getting cold.” He frowned. “Where’s Quinnie?”

“She left,” I whispered, stuffing my feelings down so deep the Mariana Trench had nothing on me.

“Give her time.” Dad’s eyes flashed sympathetically as he patted my shoulder. “You both said your piece.”