Faker - Sarah Smith Page 0,12
about it,” Kaitlin says with a wink. “You should hear the words I use when I’m on two hours of sleep and this little diva is screeching like a beast.”
“Like, the project was his idea in the first place. Why did he even suggest working with me if all he’s going to do is insult my ideas and make cutting remarks? How we’ll get through this without losing it on each other, I have no idea.” I press a kiss to the back of Libby’s head.
“Do you think you should report him to management for how he’s acting?”
“There’s an idea.” Reporting Tate seems like such a tattletale thing to do. Kaitlin is right, though. I have every right to stand up for myself if he crosses a line.
“Is work going well otherwise?”
“Still surviving as the steely ice queen.”
She nudges me lightly with her elbow. “Ice queen? No way. You’re a girl boss who works hard, kicks butt, and lets no crap slide. I admire you so much.”
I purse my lips. It’s sweet of Kaitlin to rave about me, but part of me wonders if it’s a little sad that this trait she respects about me is actually something that I have to fake. I shove the thought aside.
“How’s Addy doing?” Kaitlin asks.
“Fantastic. She’s a month into her yearlong backpacking trek with Ryan. I’m having a hard time concealing my jealousy.”
“Where are they now?”
“Costa Rica. I’m supposed to Skype with her in a few days to catch up.”
“To be twenty-four and traveling Central and South America with your boyfriend.” Kaitlin smooths her hand over Libby’s hair.
“Tell me about it.” I bounce Libby gently on my lap. “Though they’re going the affordable, minimalist route, staying in hostels. No resorts or hotels on their itinerary. Not sure if you’d be into that.”
Kaitlin gives me a playful nudge.
“But I’m happy my little sister was able to find a guy as crunchy granola as her,” I say.
Addy and I are typical close sisters with vastly different personalities. I’m reserved and quiet while she’s bold and outgoing. She lives for off-the-grid adventures, while I’d rather laze around on a beach. She saves money to take a year off work and travel abroad with her boyfriend. I can’t imagine being away on vacation for more than two weeks. I live for the comforts of home.
Kaitlin rubs my shoulder. “Are you doing okay? I know it was hard when she moved in with Ryan.”
“I miss living with my baby sister of course, but Ryan is a great guy, and I couldn’t be happier for her.”
Despite my humdrum tone, it’s all true. Ryan is a catch and is one of the sweetest guys I know, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to feeling lonely in my two-bedroom duplex without Addy. I’ve tried my best to keep it to myself, though. Addy doesn’t need to worry about her antisocial big sister missing her too much.
Kaitlin’s phone rings, and I play with Libby on the playground while she chats. Crawling on the floor with a one-year-old is surprisingly therapeutic. Once she’s off the phone, we head to the food court. Watching Libby destroy a plate of chicken nuggets in her high chair is exactly what I need to get me out of my frustrated funk. I drive home feeling more centered and calm. I’m myself again.
four
Tate’s banged-up face greets me from across the hall the following morning. My jaw drops the moment I fall into my chair. His left eye is swollen, and his cheekbone is scraped to hell. Shades of green, purple, and red speckle his ivory skin. I try to remain discreet in my gawking, but he catches me before I can look away.
He gazes back at me, unblinking. Classic irritated stare. “What?”
I turn to my computer and log on, wondering if I should ignore him. I can’t. I’m too curious.
“What happened to your face?”
“I mouthed off to the missus.”
“Ha ha. You’re not even married.”
“Brilliant deduction, Emmie.” He shakes his head. I wonder if he’s hungover too. He looks like it. “Rugby. Had a match last night.”
“How very un-American,” I say, raising an eyebrow. He glances up at me, a hint of amusement on his face. I wonder how close I am to making him laugh.
A second passes and the amusement is gone. He’s serious again. “During one of the scrums, a guy in the pack got especially jerky with his elbows, and I caught one to the face.”
“Maybe you should be more mindful of where you