Page 33 of It’s Me, but Different

“Is this real, or is it another trap like the offer to come to the hotel?”

The question catches all of us by surprise. I, again, didn't know anything, but I don't think any of my sisters expected something so direct. River puts a hand to her forehead, and Anika elbows her in the ribs to make her hide it.

“It's real,” Harper responds without flinching. “The projects exist, the legal problems too, and we need help. If that help comes from you, it would be perfect, but if you're not interested, we'll look for someone else.”

“It's not that I'm not interested,” Esme rushes to clarify. “It's that… this is a lot to process. Two weeks agoI didn't even know this hotel was yours, and now you're offering me to remake my professional career.”

“Not remake it,” my twin sister corrects. “Take it to another level. This is bigger than being a partner at a law firm, Esme. You'll have the opportunity to influence the practices of an entire industry.”

Just what I needed. Even Ivy is in on the plan.

“Wow, it's perfect, isn't it?” River interrupts, who has never known how to hide anything. “If you think about it, Esme needs a job that allows her to be with her kids. We need specialized legal help. Silver Peaks is the perfect place to raise children… Everyone wins.”

“Yeah, it's all too perfect,” I growl.

“It's not that simple,” Esme protests. “We're talking about changing my entire life and my children's, for an offer I didn't even know existed until a moment ago. All when I'm leaving tomorrow.”

“The best opportunities usually appear when you least expect them,” River insists.

Luckily, Harper realizes we're getting into dangerous territory and rushes to intervene.

“Take your time. It's an important decision. You don't have to answer today, not even close. Think about it in Denver if you want and let us know.”

“Can I take them? To study them more calmly,” she asks, pointing to the papers with her index finger.

Harper simply nods, and the rest of the lunch passes in a more relaxed atmosphere, though I can see Esme is distracted, mentally processing everything she just heard.

“Is manipulating other people's lives something you Merriweathers do naturally, or how does it work?” Esme protests as I walk her to her suite.

“I swear I didn't…”

“Yeah, right, you had nothing to do with it,” she completes for me.

“Exactly. But, Esme, you could look at those papers calmly. River is a loudmouth, I know, but if you think about it coldly, what she said is true. We need an environmental lawyer, and you are one. Here you'd lead a quiet life, it's a good place to watch your kids grow, you'd have more free time, and…”

“And you'd be here,” she interrupts, letting out a sigh.

“Yes, that. We've been planning to hire a lawyer for months.”

“Months?”

“Months. You can ask anyone on the board of directors.”

Esme sighs and enters the suite, leaving the door open for me to follow.

“I'm not saying it's a lie,” she clarifies, leaving the folder on the living room table. “I'm just saying the timing is very convenient.”

“And does that necessarily have to be bad?”

“I don't know,” she admits, dropping onto the couch. “It's that… all my life I've worked very hard to get things. You know I went to college on study scholarships. I've done the toughest internships; I've taken the cases no one wanted. I've earned every opportunity I've had.”

“And you think you haven't earned this?”

“I think this appears simply because I'm here. I think it's been planned from minute one. Because you or your sisters want me to stay. Not because I'm the best candidate for the position.”

I sit next to her on the couch, unable to avoid taking her hand in mine and squeezing it slightly.

“Can I tell you something without you getting angry?”