Page 85 of Lucky Mother Pucker

I watch as she walks away.

“Damn it,” I mutter.

A second later, Lucy touches my arm. I look at her, taking the concern and worry in her gaze.

“I don’t think you should go after her,” she says gently. “I think she wants to be alone.”

I press my eyes shut and shake my head. “Fuck, this is just…”

“I take it you don’t like your sister’s boyfriend very much?”

I shove a hand in my pocket. “Nope. He treats her like crap. He picks fights with her constantly. He doesn’t have a job. He’s a lazy, entitled jackass, and she deserves better.”

“I’m sorry. That must be so hard to see your sister go through that.”

I huff out a breath. “I know this isn’t the way to deal with it. It always makes her mad. I just wish I could help her.”

“Of course. You care about her. You love her, and you want what’s best for her.”

I rub the back of my neck, feeling frustrated but also guilty. I hate fighting with my sister about her boyfriend.

“Sometimes people don’t want help, even if they need it. They’re not ready for it. ”

I look at Lucy, taking in what she just said.

“The more you push against Jeff, the more she’s going to defend him and stand by him.”

I exhale sharply and nod at what she said.

“Maybe the best thing to do is be patient and supportive. And then when she’s ready to come to you, it’ll feel less strained,” Lucy says.

“Maybe you’re right.”

She gives me a soft, warm smile. The ballroom gets more crowded as more people file inside. I spot my mom and wave to her.

I pull her into a hug and introduce her to Lucy. I don’t miss the way her smile turns hopeful when I say that Lucy is my friend.

“My son is lucky to have such a beautiful date,” Mom says when she shakes Lucy’s hand.

Lucy blushes. “That’s so sweet of you to say. Thank you.”

A minute later, my sister comes back over.

Mom greets her with a hug. “Hey, sweetie. Where’s Jeff?”

“He had to leave to take care of something for work. He’s sorry he has to miss the rest of tonight.”

Mom’s smile is pinched as she nods. She doesn’t like Jeff either, but she does a better job of hiding her feelings than I do.

Another waiter walks by, and Lucy grabs a glass of champagne for her. While they visit, I turn to my sister.

I think about what Lucy said, how I need to be patient and supportive instead of telling my sister what to do.

“Hey. I’m sorry. It was wrong the way I got into it with Jeff a minute ago.”

Zoey's eyes are big as she stares at me, clearly surprised at my apology.

“I care about you, and I want the best for you. But that’s not how I should express it. I’m really sorry.”