Page 65 of Every Time We Touch

Marcy shakes her head. “No, but you know what it’s like when your mom is making a movie. Nora gets even more obsessed with the whole thing than Mimi.”

Nora was the one who pushed my mother to chase her lifelong dream of becoming a director. Now Mom is shooting her third movie, with none other than Hollywood hot stuff Avery Hall. During Mom’s first film, Nora was supportive—even taking a small part—but kept her distance. These days, they both get swept up in the project completely.

“Maybe it’s good there’s no brunch again this Sunday. I’m not sure I’d even be invited.” I do sound very sorry for myself.

“Mimi will always invite you to brunch,” Marcy says, as though she knows my mother better than me—although she’s right.

“Because of my mom’s shoot I haven’t been able to have a proper conversation with her about this.” I know all too well that if I asked, my mother would make the time. But despite what she said last weekend, part of me is afraid of what she might say after she has slept on it a few nights. I also don’t want to bother her with my complicated love life while she’s working on a movie—while she’s living her dream.

“Talk to your mom,” Marcy says, in that commanding way that comes so natural to her.

“I will, but first I need to face my siblings.”

“At least Heather’s starting to come around,” Marcy says.

“It’s different with Heather, though.”

“Yeah,” Marcy says, because she knows all about my codependent relationship with my twin.

I press my fingers to my forehead. “I hope Austin doesn’t throw a fit.”

“Juan’s the more likely candidate for that.” Marcy gets up. “Come on. Stop dillydallying. Time to face the St Jameses.” She looks every inch the personal trainer who hears no and simply adds ten reps. “Remember, they’re your family. They love you.”

“They love my dad as well.” I stand up. I should go. There’s only one way to do this—and, unfortunately, that doesn’t include lingering at Marcy’s until I’ve talked myself out of this confrontation.

“It will be all right,” Marcy says. “But call me after. I want to know who said what.”

“Hello, stranger.” My brother hugs me as though he hasn’t seen me in weeks. While I only saw him last weekend, it’s not the time that has passed that’s been weird. It’s the vibe between us—and me sneaking off like a thief in the night at the sight of my father last Sunday.

Juan gives me a thorough once-over. He never did take that dance lesson with Clancy. If only we’d taken a class together—but, then what? I can’t regret falling in love with Clancy, nor all the delicious dancing with her that made it happen.

“Still getting some, then,” he says, because that’s what he’s like. Not that he’s wrong. He tilts his head. “At the same time, you look a million times better than when you were self-partnered, but there’s also something very off about you, Jen.” He curls an arm around my shoulders.

“Don’t worry.” I rest my head against his chest for a moment, just for a bit of comfort. “You’ll soon know all about it.”

Heather and Lauren arrive without their husbands—they have to mind the kids. My siblings—and Juan—gather in my living room while I pour drinks.

They chatter away like usual, like this could be any other time we’re getting together.

Juan and Austin are talking about how they visited Mom on set and how Avery Hall is so gorgeous but down to earth and also fucking killing it—and has anyone met her hot cougar girlfriend?

When I join them, the chatter quickly dies down, though. Then the atmosphere does change to out of the ordinary. They all look at me as though I have some big announcement to make.

“It’s okay, Jen,” Heather says. “Just tell them.”

“Tell us what?” Lauren asks. “Should we be worried?”

“Let her speak,” Austin says.

“This is not an easy thing to say.” My hands tremble in my lap, but at least I manage to keep my voice from shaking. “I’ve been seeing someone⁠—”

“I knew it!” Austin yells, because he just can’t help himself.

Heather shushes him the way she has done with our little brother since he learned how to speak.

“I’ve fallen in love with someone, but…” You can hear a pin drop. Clearly, neither Austin nor Lauren has put two and two together—nor have they spoken to Dad. They’re just dying to find out who it is. “It’s Clancy.”

“Whaaaat?” Juan brings his hand—fingers all splayed out—to his mouth.