Page 171 of Just One Little Bargain

My hands still. “I don’t think he’ll be around.”

“Really?” Daisy moves closer, leaning against the counter beside me. “But he was so excited about it.”

I reach for the serving spoon, giving the potatoes far more attention than they deserve. “He’s busy.”

“With what?”

“I don’t know, Daisy.”

“That’s weird.” Her voice loses its lightness. “You guys have been inseparable for weeks.”

“Things change.”

“Evie.” She tilts her head. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

“Then why won’t you look at me?”

I set the spoon down before I bend it in my grip and finally turn. Her expression has shifted from playful curiosity to genuine concern.

“Girls.” Mom’s voice cuts across the kitchen, carrying enough warning to make both of us glance over. “Evie, can you set the table?”

I grab plates from the cupboard, grateful for the excuse to move. Daisy follows me into the dining area.

“Did something happen between you two?”

“No.” I set the plates down, arranging them in perfect alignment.

She reaches for the silverware drawer, pulling out forks and knives. “You said he was busy, then you said you didn’t know what he was doing, and now you won’t even look at me. So, no, I don’t really believe nothing happened.”

“Can we please not do this right now?”

Daisy rounds the table with a fistful of silverware. “I’m trying to work out why you walked in here looking like you cried all the way here.”

“I don’t want to explain it.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s my life, Daisy, and I get to decide what I share.”

“And I’m your sister.” She drops a fork beside Mom’s plate. “I’m not asking because I want gossip. A week ago, you couldn’t get through a conversation without mentioning Milo, and now you avoid talking about him.”

“Maybe take the hint.”

“You know, you do that a lot.”

I glance up. “Do what?”

“Make people feel intrusive for noticing you’re upset.”

“That’s not what I’m doing.”

“It is. You shut down, then act annoyed when anyone gets close enough to ask about it.”

The accusation hits too close to the truth. “Maybe because I don’t want an audience every time my life goes to shit.”

Daisy flinches, but she doesn’t back off. “I’m your sister, Evie.”