Page 11 of Fate In Fiction

“I was going to talk to my parents about us today.”

“Well, keep it simple. We met at a coffee shop or something.” I say the first thing that comes to mind and earn a boastful laugh. “What?”

“Oh, nothing.” Her head shakes as she enters my number.

“I’ll walk you out.” With a hand on the small of her back, we head out of the building, and I walk her to her car.

Was this technically a first date?

JOSIE

“I like mornings when you don’t have the sunrise yoga class.” Julianne’s smile reflects in the mirror as I finish braiding her hair. “It should rain every morning.”

“Don’t you dare wish that.” I add two ribbons on the bottom of her French braids and kiss the top of her head. “I love my job. It would be nice if we had a true summer, though.”

“When I grow up, I’m going to marry a guy who lives in a warmer state.” Her comment takes me by surprise since she’s never vocalized boys up until now.

“Is that so?” She continues to face the mirror and nods. “You might have to do some convincing with dad on that one.” He likes his children within reach.

“Or stay single forever.” Julianne huffs. “I do not want to spend my life going to boring dinner parties and having lunch with a bunch of gossiping ladies like mom does.” My heart breaks, knowing my sister doesn’t know any different. At least not right now. Her screen time is extremely censored, she’s heavily involved with studies, and she only witnesses relationships which influence who she’s supposed to become.

“Are you enjoying summer day-camp?” I fish for where her sudden realization of how the world can be different is coming from.

“It’s amazing.” Her eyes light up as she turns to face me. “Thank you for convincing Mom and Dad to let me go.” It wasn’t the easiest, but I played the angle of other elite children attending, and left out how she’ll be mixed in with normal children as well. “It sure beats hanging around here with my nanny.”

“We need to leave if I’m the one driving you. I don’t want to be late for my clients.” I unplug my phone as it finishes updating and stop off at my room for my books.

“Reading is boring.” Julianne meets me at the top of the stairs.

“When you’re older, you’ll see there are different books than what your teachers make you read.” I smile. “Romance is my favorite.”

“You’re a piece of work.” Her giggle fills the entryway as we head down the staircase. “You read about love, but don’t even have a boyfriend.”

“About that.” I pause, wondering how much to share. “I may have taken a liking to someone, and he hasn’t stopped texting me.” Okay, so it’s a little white lie, but I need to start somewhere.

“And who might that be?” My mother rounds the corner with a mimosa in hand and my father follows.

Is any conversation safe here?

“We’re still not public about anything, but it’s Emmett Wheaton.” My heart sits in my throat, beating heavily.

“Wasn’t he the fun one from the dinner party?” Julianne smiles, slipping on her shoes.

“Yep.” Clearing my throat, I open the door as my sister bolts outside.

“Josephine.” My mother’s voice summons me to stay.

Dammit. Now or never.

“I have to go, Mom.”

“Where did you two meet after the party?” My father sips his coffee. “You’ve made an excellent choice to let him pursue you.” Um, why isn’t it believable for me to be the one to show interest?

“I,” I emphasize, “bumped into him at a coffee shop and struck up a conversation. We exchanged numbers, and haven’t stopped texting since.”

“He’s a good man, Phinie.” My father nods. “Don’t ruin it by talking about yourself and your fears. You’ve been raised well, and know how to make him fall for your charm.”

I swallow the emotion sitting at the back of my skull, haunting me. “I know. It just doesn’t seem fair to withhold information if he eventually––”