Page 42 (1/2)

Juliet shrugs again "It’s fine," she says as she presses her lips together in a thin line "I just wanted to coot the construction guys in at the restaurant, and he couldn’t get away"

"Oh," I s, "right"

The silence stretches, and all the while, guilt seeps throughI should have known about Mom’s birthday; I should remember it like clockwork every year But it didn’t even occur to ht up in my own messy life to even think about it, let alone wonder how Juliet was feeling with yet another reminder her Mom isn’t around to share these raduated She wasn’t there at her wedding And she won’t be there, for her kids, and birthdays, and every anniversary fron of emotion on my little sister’s face, but Juliet is unreadable She sips her coffee, not saying a word I don’t knohat to say to her either; nothing seeers, double-booked at the same table to make polite conversation, worlds apart

I don’t know anything about her life or how she feels I don’t know my sister at all, and it’s ain Garrett steps back inside He looks between us "Well, the place hasn’t burned down yet," he jokes "That’s a good thing, right?"

"Right" Juliet gives him a warm smile--the kind of look she’d never send in ?"

"So-so" Garrett collapses in a seat "You eating that?" he asks, pointing to my plate I shakea fork and starting to eat without pausing for breath "Off season is tough, E to druht, did she tell you? We found a guy to play, he’s a," Garrett adds, looking over at aze, the flash of a teasing smile For a split second, my stress and family dra to the low, velvet croon of theto heaven and back

My cheeks flush with heat "He was good," Iaway "Can he ot to play this for you," he adds to Juliet "I swear I’ve heard his voice so me crazy"

"I’d love to" Juliet smiles "Sounds like a fun plan"

"It’s all Carina," Garrett says again "She’s the reat"

"Oh" Juliet’s enthusiasm seems to fade "Well…Good for you"

Silence

Juliet scrapes back her chair "You know, I better get going I’ out You should co to Garrett

I know there’s no reason for her to inviteout in years, but the rejection stings me all the same