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I give it another fifteen minutes and force myself to get up. I order a to-go, lonely dinner that I shouldn’t be having, and watch Poe’s dot move around on the app. I send him a poke to let him know I’m watching. A second later, my phone vibrates as he pokes back.

A text from Ash comes through.

Asher: No.

When did he turn into Poe? The thought makes me laugh a little. I’m relieved he’s answering me. I got myself all worked up for nothing.

Me: What happened?

Asher: Something came up.

Me: Is everything ok?

I scowl at my phone, watching the little writing bubble pop up over and over. What I see next should not have taken that long to write, and I want to throw my phone away from me.

Asher: Sex is always amazing not just ok.

Ack! Too much info! I know he’s doing it on purpose, even if it’s the truth. Grossing me out is a great way to halt any conversation.

Me: Changing the subject! I have something important to share next time I see you. We can try again later.

I get a thumbs up in reply.

I head home, trying not to pout. The only witnesses to my lonely set-up for dinner are my raccoons.

I’m about to text Poe and taunt him into more sexy photos when a call from Suzette comes in. I see the name and hesitate to answer for the first time.

I can still see the texts in my mind. They’ve been stuck there ever since I saw them, posted in the back of my head. I’m not sure I want to have the live version from my little sister.

I shake myself out of it. Suzette isn’t the type to be mean to someone’s face. My sweet, innocent little sister doesn’t have it in her, even when she should.

That makes my decision to answer a little easier.

“Hey,” I chirp with a wary smile. “How goes it, little sis?”

“Busy,” she giggles. “I’m almost done with the painting for Ash. Want me to send a pic?”

“Of course,” I scoff. She never needs to ask me. I love seeing her work.

“I’ll send it over later,” she assures me. I can hear her happiness clearly. One of her men is in the background, griping about something that makes her laugh and call him lazy.

I want that. I want to laugh with Poe and give him hell for slacking off. Or cuddle him out of a bad mood. Little things that amount to a whole heap of love.

I’m thinking about telling her about him to test the waters, but I never get a chance. Suzette is a talker, so it isn’t surprising that she starts off thinking I have nothing to say.

“I see you’re doing another expo,” she starts off in a sunny tone.

It makes me think of the complaint about getting the email invites. That shuts my mouth as pain hits me in the chest.

“I’m not?” I frown in confusion.

“I just saw the email,” Suzette says, sounding surprised.

I think back and let out a soft laugh that I don’t really feel. “How often do you check your email, sis? That last one was a few months ago.”

Silence falls between us. Something awkward and heavy that I don’t know what to do with. I tried to deflect my hurt with humor, but it doesn’t seem to be helping this time.

“Well crap,” she lets out a laugh that seems tense. “I’m sorry I missed it.”