Page 68 of Things I Overshared

“Hi, I’m Nicole.” She offers a slight wave.

With a practiced smile, my sister says, “Sadie.”

“Hi, I’m Samantha, so nice to meet you both!” I say, a bit too cheery.

“It’s our pleasure. Dammit, Emerson, what exactly is in the water at Canton International? Can I get a job?” Byron says, giving us all an obvious once-over. The three of us blush and smile in response.

“May I remind you you’re married, Byron.” Emerson huffs quietly.

“Well, I’m not,” Ben says with a wide smile. Emerson exhales in his signature exasperation, a distinct contrast to his brothers, who are both totally at ease. Charming, even.

“We’ll let you ladies get back to your day.” Emerson motions for his brothers to walk around us.

“I don’t know, looks like they could use a tea break to me,” Ben drawls.

“I could use a tea break myself,” Byron adds, clearly enjoying making his older brother squirm.

“We just had tea at Bageriet,” Emerson mutters.

I decide to save the day. “As much as I want to hear every horrible and embarrassing childhood story you have on Emerson, in excruciating detail”—I shoot him a look that I hope explains he owes me one—“we’re on a mission, actually. We want to hit a few shops before we have to get over to the convention center.”

“I don’t know . . . I think we have time, don’t we, Sadie?” Nicole pushes me. She glances around and then pauses to offer Ben a wide, playful smile. Sadie watches the whole situation as if she’s on the outside of us, studying us all like puzzle pieces.

Finally, Sadie makes the call. “Samantha is running the show here, so I guess it’s a no this time, boys. But nice to meet you.” A polite nod of her head explains that the discussion is over. Relief washes over Emerson’s blushed face.

“Our loss, then. Lovely to meet you all as well.” Byron joins his brother in his efforts to move past us.

“Well, if you find some time while you’re in town, do let us know. I’ll drag the old man out for some fun.” Ben points toward Emerson, who rolls his eyes.

“See you tomorrow,” Emerson says to us before turning and almost pushing his brothers down the street. The three of us watch after them for a moment.

Sadie grabs my elbow. “Okay, who are you and what have you done with my sister?”

“Huh?”

“That was the most un-Samantha thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Saying no to sitting and chatting over tea? Not to mention tea with three hotties,British hotties, and pestering them with questions about Emerson? Explain. Immediately.” She levels me with a no-nonsense glare.

I shrug and try hard to sell more half lies. “What I said. We have to get ready for convention with a skeleton crew, and I haven’t had time to even run by and check on our inventory. We don’t even really have time to mess with these shops, honestly.”

Sadie squints at me, debating if she believes me, or more likely debating if she’s going to call me on my BS or not. Nicole just watches us both tentatively.

“All right, let’s head to the convention center then,” Sadie says. “Dean, we’re heading back to the car!” she calls to her bodyguard, who I didn’t realize was just a few steps behind us.

“Aw, man. Goodbye gorgeous Covent Garden.” Nicole pouts. “Why isn’t Emerson helping with the convention prep?”

“He will tomorrow. This is the first time he’s taken to see his family since we’ve been here.”

“Okay.” Nicole sighs. I do feel for her, having to rush through her first time in London. Sadie says nothing as we drive along, but I catch her studying me more than once. It’s unnerving. Skye does it too: sees things, studies people, notices what most miss. But Sadie seems to go beyond noticing and almost reads people’s thoughts. I think it’s what makes her such a great writer, her superpower for understanding others, as if she could emphasize with any and all points of view.

As soon as we reach our area inside the convention center, we split ways to check our shipping crates. Once I’m alone, I whip out my phone.

Me: Emerson Saves: Three

Samantha Saves: One

You’rewelcome

Emerson: Three?