Page 88 of The Desired Nanny
“No, that’s not going to work. It’s not Easter morning.”
“Why are we looking at dresses?”
“We are looking for dresses because we’re taking you to lunch,” Daisy answered as she rifled through my wardrobe.
“I don’t want to go to lunch,” I protested.
“We don’t care what you want. We will not allow you to wither away in this room,” Nori said, sighing while rummaging through my jewelry box.
Noted.
“Have either of you heard from him?”
Daisy poked her head out of my closet and grinned. “Yes, we’ve spoken to your brother-husband.”
“How original,” I drawled.
“He sounds like he’s doing well—maybe not well, but optimistic now that he’s out of detox and in residentialtreatment. I still can’t believe we didn’t know he had a drinking problem all these years,” Nori commented.
“He asked about you, Kiyah,” Daisy said, making my heart leap in my chest. I willed it to calm down.
He probably wants to know if I’ve mailed those divorce papers to my lawyer, which I haven’t gotten around to yet, but I will.
“He wanted to know how you were doing because Dad won’t fill him in. He sounded disappointed when I told him we hadn’t spoken to you.”
“He wants you to call him,” Nori added.
I shook my head. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” she pressed with a frown.
“I don’t want to be the reason why his treatment derails.”
“If you think about it, he’s in the best place to fall off the rails,” Daisy mentioned. “He’d be forced to face his demons instead of numbing the pain with alcohol.”
“That’s true. But if he wants to talk to me, then he’ll have to be the one to pick up the phone and call.”
I felt heat pressed against my back, and arms wrapped around my midsection. “You’re so stubborn, Ki,” Nori said as she hugged me tightly. “I didn’t get to tell you seven years ago, but I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thanks, Nori,” I replied, choked up by her condolences.
“We wish we could’ve been there for you,” Daisy said, hugging me from the front. I placed my head on her shoulder and soaked up their sisterly love.
“You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”
* * *
“What are your plans now?” Daisy asked as she poorly snuck a shrimp off Nori’s plate.
I smiled wryly, shoveling lettuce and tomatoes around on my plate. “You sound like Mom and Dad. Is this what this little lunch is all about? Did they send you two to do their bidding?”
“No. It’s a valid question. What are your plans? You’re 28. It’s time for you to be an adult.”
Great. I’m getting chewed out by my younger sister.
“I agree. You can work for me,” Nori offered.
“I’m not into finance.”
