“That’s because no one else would ever go to a function wearing anything in your closet,” Carlie said.
“Or because I’m never invited anywhere.”
“You’ll have to go to some of those functions now.” Carlie beamed. “Since you’ll be working at Phantom Enterprises.”
The smugness in Carlie’s tone made Rylie feel uneasy. “You know about that?”
“Of course, I do. That’s why I bought some new clothes. I’m going to give you all my old ones. And you have to wear them. We made that deal, remember?” Carlie’s chin lifted as she pointed both thumbs back toward her chest. “And I’m the one who suggested Jarrett should hire you.”
Thunk. Rylie’s heart tumbled to the bottom of her abdomen. “You told him to hire me? You shouldn’t have done that, Carlie. It’s like nepotism or something.”
“No, it’s not.” Carlie’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. She must’ve thought Rylie would be pleased.
“It’s like he gave me a job as a favor to you, just because you’re getting married. I asked him about that, and he swore that wasn’t the reason. Now I wish I hadn’t accepted.” From the corner of her eye, she saw Carlie cringe.
“I’m sure that wasn’t the only reason he offered you the job.” Carlie blinked rapidly, her lower lip quivering. “He wouldn’t hire you if you weren’t qualified.”
“Don’t you get it? How would you feel if you found out you got that part in the movie because someone called in a favor, instead of because someone thought you were talented?” Rylie carried her dishes to the sink, setting them down with more force than necessary.
“That is how I got the part.” Carlie’s cheeks went crimson. “That’s how things work in show business. It’s all about networking and making connections. When you’re starting out, you have to find a way to get your foot in the door.”
“Oh.” Rylie kicked herself internally. “I didn’t mean it as an insult. But that’s not how things work in business and technology.”
“I disagree.” Carlie mimicked the chin-jutted-forward expression Rylie wore so often. “In every profession, smart deserving people get passed over because someone else had connections. It was your turn to get lucky, and I’m not going to apologize for suggesting it to Jarrett.”
Rylie rounded up her emotions and tucked them safely inside where they belonged. What on earth had made her lose control?
“I’m sorry I snapped at you.” She stood and opened her arms, and Carlie embraced her, sniffing her indignation.
“It’s like I can’t do anything right,” Carlie said. “I was only trying to help.”
“I guess my pride was stung, because I thought Jarrett had thought of it on his own.”
She should’ve known. Once Jarrett met Carlie, all his thoughts had centered on her. All these years later, nothing had changed. And it never would.
Carlie’s face softened. “I bet he would’ve, if I’d given him the chance. He knows how smart you are.”
“It’s okay, sis. I know you meant well. I love you.”
“You, too,” Carlie said, with a parting pat on the back. Then her mouth stretched in a grimace. “I’m feeling kind of queasy. Do you mind if I leave all this stuff here and go lie down for a bit?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll get it up to your room later if you’re feeling bad.” A worrisome thought hit her. “You couldn’t be pregnant, could you?”
Rylie’s eyes dropped to where Carlie’s hand was splayed across her flat tummy. It had only been four months since the divorce, so it wasn’t impossible.
“He quit sleeping with me a year ago. So apart from immaculate conception, there’s no baby in here making me nauseated.” Pain laced her words, despite her flippant comments. “It was probably something in the fancy salad I ate for lunch.”
“I’m sorry, Carlie. I had no idea it was that bad for so long.”
“I never told anyone, but he was unfaithful the last four or five years we were married. He hardly even apologized for it. He knew I wouldn’t dare leave him… not as long as our contract was still in effect. I filed for divorce the day it expired.”
Carlie’s hand came up to her mouth as her face turned a pale shade of green. Suddenly, she whirled around and dashed toward the bathroom.
“I’m coming,” Rylie yelled. “I’ll bring some water and a cool washcloth!”
Here’s hoping it’s not contagious.
CHAPTER 5
“I’m sorry, Jarrett.” Carlie’s voice croaked over the phone. “But I feel like death warmed over.”
“What’s wrong?” He tried to keep the panic from his voice. It was terrible timing. Still, he needed to be sympathetic.
“I think I got food poisoning yesterday. How soon would I have to come downtown?”
“I need you right away.” Jarrett rifled through the papers covering the top of his normally pristine desk, searching for the notes from his phone call with his attorney. His life was rapidly dissolving into chaos. “I got the adoption track approval, but only if I’m married. We need to get the marriage license and have the justice of the peace perform the ceremony this morning. The plane leaves at one. The final guardianship hearing is set for tomorrow morning in San Juan.”
“I can barely crawl to the toilet, much less go anywhere. Can’t we put it off a day?”
“Tomorrow’s Friday. We can’t afford to postpone another weekend. Gabe should’ve started his chemotherapy a week ago, maybe more. Honestly, his initial diagnosis should’ve happened months ago. Every day we wait makes his prognosis worse.”
“What are you going to do?” Her voice cracked. “I’ve ruined everything, getting sick. I shouldn’t have eaten those bean sprouts on my salad.”
He tamped down his frustration. Carlie hadn’t gotten food poisoning on purpose.
“I don’t know. Maybe we could get married this afternoon and fly out later, but scheduling is tricky. It’s a private airport, and their hours are restricted.”
