Page 25

“I’m not, no. And I’m sorry. You know how I hate not telling you things. I’m just not ready to talk about this.”
“He’s a good guy,” Izzy said. “I liked him.”
“I like him too,” Olivia said with a smile. “I’m glad you do. Iz, I have to ask you for a favor.”
“You’re going to ask me not to tell Mom.”
“How did you know that?”
“Because I know everything. Honestly, it’s weird that I didn’t guess you were married. I can’t even remember the last time you kept a secret from me.”
“Will you be able to do that? Keep it from Mom, I mean? I know it’s an unfair thing to ask you.”
“I’ve never told Mom your secrets. Remember when you were my age and you used to sneak out of the house, and then you would text me to come unlock the door so you could sneak back in? I never told her about that.”
“You’re an amazing sister. Have I ever told you that?”
“I don’t get why you don’t want her to know. Mom would be excited that you’re married. She worries about you, you know.”
“She does?”
“She says you work too hard and that you haven’t been on a date in years.”
“Well, Ihavebeen on dates. I just don’t tell you guys about them because there doesn’t seem to be any point unless they lead somewhere. If I came home and told mom every time I got coffee with a guy, she would get all excited and think I was about to get married. Most of those guys I never see again.”
“Okay, but then youdidget married and you didn’t tell her that either.”
“Yeah.” Olivia stared off into the distance. “I know this is weird, Iz.”
“Olivia… are you sure you’re okay? I mean, if you’re not, you could tell me. Is there something about this marriage that you don’t want people to know about?”
It would never stop being annoying how perceptive Izzy could be. “Everything’s fine,” Olivia said. “Truly, Izzy. You can trust me. I have everything under control.”
“Okay,” Izzy said. “But if you ever did need to talk about anything… I know I’m a lot younger than you, but I’m not that young, you know. I’ll be twenty soon.”
“Not that soon,” Olivia said with a smile. “Don’t grow up too fast. And don’t worry, Izzy. I’ll talk to you if I need to, but I promise you, everything is fine.” She glanced at her phone. “I’d better text Charlie to come pick me up.”
“So if you two are married, does that mean you live with him in that big mansion?”
“I do,” Olivia admitted, allowing herself a grin.
“I bet it’s pretty sweet.”
“It’s honestly the nicest house I’ve ever been in.”
“I think you have to let me come see it. I’m being really cool about not telling Mom any of this stuff, so I think it’s the least you could do.”
“You’re right,” Olivia admitted. “Okay, Izzy. I’ll arrange a time for you to come over. Maybe we can even do a slumber party or something.”
“Charlie wouldn’t mind that?”
“It’s not up to him.”
“I just meant, with you two being newlyweds and all. Maybe he doesn’t want your annoying little sister hanging around.”
“I don’t have an annoying little sister,” Olivia said. “And if Charlie has a problem with you — which he doesn’t, by the way; he thought you were great — but if he did, then he would have a problem with me. You know perfectly well that I wouldn’t give the time of day to any guy who wasn’t willing to take you as part of the package.”
Izzy grinned. “Slumber party sounds great.”