Page 159 of Sadistic

"Still counts." She pauses at the door. "Thanks. For the talk. For letting me live here. For not being the asshole I thought you'd be."

"Give it time. I'm sure I'll disappoint."

"Somehow I doubt that." She grins. "I'm making pancakes. You want some?"

"Sure."

By the time Revna wanders down at 9:30, Dalla and I have demolished a stack of pancakes and are debating the merits of various fashion houses.

Revna stops in the doorway, hair a mess, wearing one of my shirts and shorts, looking between us with amusement. "My husband and my sister, bonding over breakfast. Should I be worried?"

"Extremely," Dalla says. "We're planning your surprise birthday party."

"My birthday's not for nine months."

"Hence the surprise element."

Revna rolls her eyes but kisses us both on the cheek before heading for coffee. "What are you actually discussing?"

"Fashion week," I answer. "Apparently, I'm attending with Mum this year."

"You are?" Revna looks delighted. "Mr. 'I Only Wear Black Suits' is going to fashion week?"

"Mum insists. Something about supporting Dalla's debut. She expects you to be there as well."

"Debut?" Dalla squeaks. "What debut?"

"Did she not mention? The interns always get to show one piece at the spring show. It's tradition."

Dalla goes pale. "I think I'm going to throw up."

"You'll be fine," Revna assures her, sitting beside her. "Remember when we were kids and you made clothes for our Barbies? You've been designing since you were six."

"Barbie clothes and fashion week are alittlebit different, Rev."

"Same idea. Just more fabric."

They dissolve into sister chatter about designs and deadlines.

I watch them, struck again by how natural this feels.

Three months, and we've built something I never expected—a real home, a real family.

My phone rings.

Rhiannon, which means it's either very good or very bad news.

"Brother dear," she says cheerfully. "Guess who just texted me?"

"The Pope?"

"Close. Oly."

I tense. "What did he want?"

"To apologize, apparently. Very formal, very unlike him. I quote: 'Please tell Doran I'm sorry for the wedding incident. I'm receiving help and hope to make amends when appropriate.'"

"That doesn't sound like him at all."