Tinsel (Lark Cove #4)(53)

“Did you love him?”

Her chin quivered. “I think so. It’s hard. I love my job. The company is my life. I wish he had understood that too.”

I didn’t have any advice to offer so I just held her hand. In true Aubrey fashion, she pulled herself together quickly and kept eating. Aubrey would never quit her job or put it at risk, especially for a man, but for the first time, I think she resented it some.

“Can I ask you something?”

I nodded. “Sure.”

“Have you ever gotten your heart broken?”

“Huh?” How did she not already know the answer to that question?

“Have you ever gotten your heart broken?” she repeated.

“Yeah. A lot. Do you not remember that both of my husbands were with other women during our marriages?”

“Yeah, but you didn’t love them.”

“What?” My mouth fell open. “Of course I loved them.”

“You did?”

I shook my head, dumbfounded. “Why would I have married them if I didn’t love them?”

“I just thought it was for show.”

For once, I’d thought my sister and I would be able to talk without arguing. But now I was angry, and I’d had just about enough of her judgment.

“No,” I huffed. “It wasn’t for show. And yes, I’ve had my heart broken. They might not have turned out to be good men, but that didn’t make it hurt any less when they betrayed me.”

“I’m sorry, Sofia. I’m really sorry. I didn’t know. You moved on from Kevin so fast. The same with Bryson. I didn’t realize you were hurting.”

Her apology cooled my rising temper. “I was.”

“Are you still?”

“No. I did love them, and it was painful. But looking back, I don’t think I was as in love with them as I let myself believe.” I guess her observation wasn’t entirely off-base after all. Probably why it was easier to let it go.

“We’re a pair. It’s a good thing Mom and Dad have Logan. He’s their only shot at grandchildren.”

“That’s the truth.”

We both laughed, but then Aubrey’s smile fell away. “Why aren’t we friends?”

My heart clenched. “Because you don’t really like me much.”

“That’s not true.” She looked me right in the eyes. “I love you. But I don’t understand you.”

“Why?” The reporter had pegged me after a one-hour interview. Aubrey should have figured me out years ago. “What don’t you understand?”

“You have so much potential, and you waste it. That baffles me.”

“I’m not you. Or Dad. I’ve never wanted work to be my life. You guys keep trying to shove me into your idea of what I should be doing. But don’t you see? That’s not me.”

“We don’t do that.”

“Aubrey,” I said gently. “You do.”

She thought about it for a few moments. The air in the dining room whirled in the silence as I waited. Then she slumped her shoulders and nodded. “Maybe you’re right. But you hold my job against me just as much as I hold your lifestyle against you.”

“I do,” I admitted. I’d fought so hard to make sure I wasn’t like them that their professional success had become something I judged. “I’m sorry. Can’t we just accept one another as we are?”

She nodded. “I’d like that.”

“I’m kind of lonely.”

Aubrey huffed. “You and me both.”

“You are? But you’re always with people.”

“Yeah, work people. I’m not their friend though. I’m their boss. Do you know the last time I actually had a friend? It was in college. As soon as I started working, people were wary of me because I was the boss’s daughter. Then I became the boss. I’m not complaining, because I really do love my job. But it’s lonely at the top.”

“I’d like to be your friend.” This was a strange conversation to have with my sister, but I was on the edge of my seat, waiting and hoping she wanted more of a relationship.

“We’ve made it through one meal without getting into a fight.” She grinned. “I’d say there’s hope.”

“Me too.” I blew out the breath I’d been holding and took another huge bite of pizza.

Aubrey did the same, and we ate with smiles until we were both full.

“Do you want to go get a drink?” she asked as we stared at plates full of leftover crust. “It’s been a long week.”

“Sure. But I’m not changing.”

My sister looked at me like I’d grown two heads.

I hadn’t done much with myself today. I’d showered and dried my hair, but it was hanging straight and limp. I hadn’t used my curling iron or styling products since I’d come home. I’d also put on my new minimalist makeup after I’d gotten home from the trainer’s this morning.

On top of that, I was in my Montana apparel: skinny jeans, a hoodie I’d unearthed from my closet and the tennis shoes I’d stolen from Thea even though they were too big.

They reminded me of Dakota.

“Who are you?” Aubrey asked.