Iris

Ivy frowned as she reached down to help me stand. Even after a lifetime together, it was always a little strange seeing my face looking back at me. Like looking in a mirror and watching your reflection act independently of you. And with the makeover she gave me before she left, we looked more alike than ever.

"Did you seriously go on vacation?" She screeched, eyeing my luggage with an expression nearing panic. "I'm going to be fired."

"Calm down. I didn't go on a vacation...exactly. It was a work trip," I said to calm her down, purposefully ignoring her last statement. After what had happened between Garrett and me this past week, I couldn't promise her she wouldn't be fired when he figured it all out.

Which put us both in deep shit. I was going to lose the man I'd most certainly fallen for, and she was going to lose her livelihood. Fitting consequences for what we'd done, but it didn't make swallowing the truth any easier.

Ivy put her hands on her hips. "Are you talking about the conference? For the grant?"

"Yes, that's the one." I picked Sushi up and accepted her aggressive face nips as I avoided looking my sister in the eye.

"That trip lasts a weekend."

"It is the weekend."

"It started last weekend."

"Look." I spoke so loudly and forcefully that Sushi scratched me in her desperate escape. "Why are you even here? You're supposed to be screwing your boyfriend all around Europe."

She grabbed her bicep with her opposite hand and shrugged. "Apparently everyone else was screwing him too, and when I asked him about it, he booked me a ticket home."

"Oh. That sucks. I'm sorry, Ives."

The sadness darkening her eyes was gone as quickly as it came. Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she flopped down on my couch and propped her legs on the coffee table. "Oh well. I figured you would be excited to get back to your...boring existence."

Ouch. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her exactly how not boring my life had been for the last week. However, it would be in both our best interests for that story to be shared over a bottle—or two—of wine. She was always a lot more understanding when she was drinking.

I dragged my suitcases to my room and pushed them into a corner to deal with them later. Part of me didn't want to see any of the clothes I'd worn on my trip. Especially the dress I'd been wearing the night Garrett took my virginity. It made thinking about what was to come next so much harder.

"So, I have a favor to ask," Ivy said, coming up behind me and leaning against the doorframe.

Her low-slung jeans and crop top put her impressive abs on display, and she wore the smile she reserved for flirting. She probably didn't even know she was doing it. That was Ivy for you. Constantly using her body and charm to get by in the world.

"That doesn't work on me." I wiggled my finger in a circle at her. "And the last time we talked, you asked for a favor that uprooted my entire life."

"That's a bit dramatic, babes."

She had no idea. "What is it?"

"Well, you see...I kind of sublet my place, and since I'm not supposed to be back yet..."

Exhaustion washed through me. "You can use the guest bedroom."

"Thanks, sis!" With a squeal, she hugged me, bouncing on her front toes as she stepped back. "It'll be fun. How long has it been since we spent a lot of time together?"

Never. We rarely even hung out as kids unless forced, but maybe she was right. It would be nice. We were grown-ups now, and we were all the family the other had. I thought of Garrett's crazy family and smiled. I wanted that.

Flipping through the romance novel on my desk, she asked nonchalantly, "Anything I need to know before I go back to work tomorrow?"

All fantasies of family fled. "Actually, I think it would be best if I go in tomorrow. We have a meeting scheduled to wrap everything up, and it would be easier if I attended. We can transition on Tuesday."

A text message popped up on my phone. It was from Shannon.

Shannon: Iris! These chapters you sent me are the sexiest thing I've read in a while. I think we need to include them all. I know you just wanted to include one or two to get your feet wet, but honey... feet won't be the only thing wet after your readers see this.

Another buzz.

Shannon: Oh god. That was corny. Forget I said that. But seriously. Let's set up some time to go over these, okay?

"Earth to Iris?"

Hitting the sleep button on the side of the phone, I looked at my sister. "Yeah?"

"I was saying I was okay with that plan. It'll give me a chance to get unpacked and settled back in after such a long trip."

"Oh, yeah. Um perfect." I jumped up and grabbed my purse. "Look, you do what you need to do. I'll be back."

"Wait! Where are you going?" She shouted after me as I hurried toward the door.

"Completely forgot that I told Minh I would meet her for drinks," I shouted, waving over my shoulder as I slammed the door behind me.

Of course, I hadn't forgotten any such thing, but I doubted my best friend would miss an opportunity to get me shit faced and talk about what happened this weekend. And then when the fun wore off, I needed her to tell me how to get out of this mess. With my sister still being employed, and my heart remaining intact.