winning the grand prize blue ribbon in the baking competition. She sat back on her love seat, watching them make small talk with each other, feeling a contentment with other women that was new to her. She savored it quietly as she ate her cookie-dough mini cupcake in two delicious bites.
Melissa pulled a chair over to her. “So did you think any more about the college stuff we discussed?”
Emily opened her mouth, but before she could answer, Monica said, “I think Emily has a career path she’d like more than college. She should stay here and open a bakery.”
Brooke gasped, then clapped her hands together. “That is perfect! When did you come up with that?”
Emily tried to speak again, but this time, Melissa interrupted. “A bakery?” she said, frowning. “Emily, you’re enrolled at Berkeley.”
“And is there something wrong with a bakery?” Monica asked her sister in an icy voice. “God knows you’re always quick to show me how you feel about a mere flower shop.”
Melissa’s brown eyes went wide. “What are you talking about? Your flower shop is cool, and I like how you’ve brought in the local craftspeople.”
Monica gaped at her. “Missy, you’re lying to yourself if you think you’ve ever given me the impression that you approve of what I’m doing. I know it’s not a big high-powered job like yours, but it’s tearing me up inside that you think I don’t measure up.”
Emily and Brooke stared at each other helplessly but let the argument between the sisters play out.
“When did I ever say you didn’t measure up?” Melissa hopped to her feet as if she could no longer stay still. “I’ve always been proud of you. It’s you who didn’t like what I did, wouldn’t even come with me to DC after college.”
“What do you mean come with you?” Monica echoed, throwing her hands wide as she met her sister nose to nose. “You knew I loved Valentine and wanted a life here. And you made sure I felt bad about my choice compared to yours!”
Melissa burst into tears.
Monica glanced at Brooke as if looking for help, but Brooke could only shrug and urge her silently with her hands to do something.
“Why are you crying, Missy?” Monica asked in a softer voice.
“I never wanted you to feel bad,” she said, between sobs.
Emily helplessly handed her a tissue, and she took it to blow her nose.
“Then why were you always talking up your job and the city?” Monica asked plaintively.
“Because . . . because . . . I wanted you to come with me!”
Monica’s mouth fell open.
“We went to . . . college together,” Melissa continued, gasping out her words, “and I just assumed we’d go have our careers together. But then . . . but then . . . you went home, and I went to a city where I didn’t know anyone, where I didn’t have my twin . . .” She gave another sob and buried her face in several more tissues she pulled from the box. “And I’ve been so lonely!”
Monica started to cry, too, then they were both holding each other, rocking. Emily stared at them, feeling touched and even frightened, because now she had a sister, too. And how could they ever be so close since they hadn’t grown up together?
“I was even jealous,” Melissa said, lifting her head to smile weakly at her sister. “You were so happy.”
“But—I thought you were happy, too, flying all over the world, covering the stories you thought so important.”
“I am happy with my job. But I’d rather be home more, which is why I took so much time off, I guess. And when would I ever have time for a man? I’ve met guys I was attracted to, but it’s hard to be the power sister in a couple, and most lose interest fast.”
“Well, do you see me with a man? A laid-back life doesn’t always bring on the bliss. I guess there’s good and bad in both our lives.” She took Melissa by the shoulders. “But Missy, why didn’t you tell me this from the beginning? We lost years drifting apart.”
“I know, I know,” Melissa said, blowing her nose again. “I just felt so weak and foolish and didn’t want you to know.”
They stared at each other, smiling slowly, tears starting up again, and then they were hugging as if they’d never let go.
“Maybe I’m glad I don’t have a sister,” Brooke said wryly.