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Zach
I left Emma to read through the letters and headed downstairs. Genie and Paul were laughing and chatting. Paul saw me and called me over.
“A beer?”
“Sure, but I’ll get it myself.”
“How’s Emma doing?” Paul asked.
“She’s struggling a bit. It’s overwhelming.”
Paul nodded. “I think I’m going to go up there and talk to her. You’ll both excuse me?”
We watched him leave, then Genie turned her attention to me.
“How was it?”
“Emotional. I think she’s realizing her mother isn’t the devil.”
“Don’t you think it’s weird that she suddenly wants back in Emma’s life?”
“From what I gather, she’s wanted back in Emma’s life for a long time. I think Paul’s finally pushing Emma to do it.”
Genie’s gaze wandered off.
“What are you thinking?” I asked.
“Nothing.”
“Something’s up. What is it?”
“Nothing. I just think it’s a bit strange. When I ran into her at the women’s shelter, she seemed nervous. I figured it had to do with Dad, so that’s why I’m suspicious. I’m sure she’s well aware who you are.”
“Let’s not judge her until we know more.”
“But what are the chances that I run into her there? Do you think she got the job there because she knows we volunteer and support Katie’s House?”
“We don’t even know how long she’s worked there. Maybe she’s been there a while and that was the first time she ran into us. But like I said, let’s not make a big deal about this. It could be a coincidence.”
I rifled through the fridge and grabbed a beer. I took the seat across from Genie who was scrolling through her phone.
“I’ve got a favor to ask,” I said.
She glanced up and set down her phone. “What’s up?”
“There’s a guy . . .”
“Oh, I didn’t know you swung that way. It’s perfectly okay, but won’t you be breaking Emma’s heart?” Genie asked, tongue in cheek.
“You are hilarious. But seriously, there’s this guy working at Emma’s tennis club and he’s a real ass. I think he’s up to no good. I figured maybe you could go by there and see what he’s about. He’ll probably respond better to a woman than to me.”
“So you’ve met him?”
“Yup. And I’ve got a bad feeling about him.”
“Is he cute at least?”
“Ben Morrow. Google him.”
Genie grabbed her phone and tapped away. A minute later a wide smile spread across her face. “Okay, at least he’s not ugly.”
“I figured a google search would convince you.”
“This sounds fun and gross all at the same time. Why are you worried about this guy?”
“It’s my intuition. I know he’s trouble.”
Genie leaned in closer and dropped her voice. “What do you expect me to do?”
“I don’t know. Just check him out.”
“So you’re basically pimping out your sister?”
“No. Think of yourself as a spy.”
“I’ll do this for you, but I still don’t get why. You need to give me more info.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and sighed. “I’ve got to talk quick before they get back. Emma mentioned this Morrow guy to me, and she was talking about him more than she normally talks about anyone. So I went by her tennis club and this piece of shit was there. Real smug, too. He likes her, Genie, I can feel it. And I don’t want him interfering with our lives.”
Genie nodded. “Okay, I’ll make it look casual. I’m not sure how, but I’m pretty creative.”
“See what you can find out.”
We heard Paul coming down the stairs and changed the subject to the weather. I appreciated what Genie was doing because if anyone could get info from a guy like Ben Morrow, it was my sister. The only drawback was that he was the type of asshole she might fall for. I’d have to stop that if I thought she was getting sucked in. We’d just gotten rid of Steve. The last thing we needed was a washed-up tennis player with an attitude in our lives.
#
“FEELING BETTER?” I asked Emma as she was climbing into bed.
“I had a long talk with Dad. I understand things better now.”
“You’re going to think about calling her?” I asked, crawling into bed and pulling her close.
“I don’t know. Won’t it be weird?”
“Initially, yes. I’m not going to lie, but if you click with her, that awkwardness will go away. And it seems like she’s pretty cool with your dad. Don’t you think she’d be cool with you too?”
“I don’t know. What do I even say to her?”
I kissed her neck. “Whatever comes to your mind.”
“I emailed her. I think that’s a good first step.”
I smiled. “It’s a great first step.”
“There are very few people in the world that I’ve met and it’s not been awkward. I think you were the first stranger it felt natural talking to.” She fell silent for a long moment. “You know, after we met, I started to find it easier to talk to people. Maybe that has to do with you. When I think about it, there was Helen, Genie, Wendy, even stupid Ben.”
I held back a reaction even though my body tensed. Man, I hoped she didn’t notice. Just the mention of his name set me off.
“See. It gets easier.”
“I think you’re right,” she said, and kissed my lips. “Okay, I’ll seriously think about this. I would like to meet her . . . I think. It’s a big deal, you know.”
“I know.”
“How did I get so lucky to have a guy like you love little old me?”
“I think it’s the other way around.”
She snuggled in close and easily drifted to sleep. I lay awake feeling guilty. Not hours ago I was questioning her association with Ben Morrow, even though I had no proof I had anything to worry about. Emma was my girl and Morrow was an irritant. And even though I knew all that, I wasn’t calling off the plan with Genie.
Not a fucking chance.