Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
“I can’t imagine the two of you arguing. That picture doesn’t seem right inside my head.”
Isabella laughed. “It was about you.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. It was after several Sundays of him sitting opposite you, watching what Mom did to you. The way she talked to you. He hated it. He hated her being so obsessed with weight. We argued. I said she didn’t mean anything by it and that you didn’t mind and Michael, he went … he was so angry. He made me see you and made me realize that everything she did affected you. I watched you and I saw he was right. He said he couldn’t marry into a family so cruel. That if I thought for a second he was going to allow her to give us a diet sheet for our children, I was very much mistaken.”
“How did he take the pregnancy diet?” Aria asked, a little warmed by the fact Michael had seen her.
“He burned it. When she came to us the other day and started to yell about you, calling you horrible names, I realized she had been doing that all our lives. I never really got to know who you were because she always kept us apart.”
Aria forced a smile to her lips. “That was her way. I wasn’t allowed to hang out with you, because I didn’t measure up to her standards.”
“She’s so awful and I am so sorry I didn’t see it before. I know this makes me a horrible person.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
“But, it should. I never got the chance to be a big sister. We didn’t hang out in each other’s bedroom, talking about boys or our favorite movie star crush. Neither of us got to really know each other, and I hate that.”
“I don’t have one,” Aria said.
“What?”
“A movie star crush. I don’t watch a lot of movies. I like reading, romances mainly. I’ve got two dogs, Ernie and Bruno, who take up a lot of my time and I just love them. I work at the veterinary practice which is a job I love and hate, and right now I’m so damn miserable because I broke up with my boyfriend because he slept with my beautiful sister.”
Isabella’s eyes filled with tears. “No, we didn’t sleep together. It was a few minutes, that was all. It wasn’t great, I swear.”
Her sister got to her feet and started walking toward her. Aria was tempted to refuse the hug that was coming her way, but what was the point? Their mother had stopped them being close. She would no longer be the cause for them not being close. Wrapping her arms around her sister, she held on tight, not wanting to let go.
“I love you,” Isabella said.
“I love you too.”
“And don’t let what happened between Grant and I spoil you two. I saw you together on Thanksgiving. You both have a special bond. There is love there, and that kind of feeling shouldn’t be squashed. That should be embraced and cherished.” Isabella stepped back and stroked her cheek.
“I don’t know how the rumor spread.”
“I don’t care,” Isabella said. “It has done me more good than not. The truth is out to Michael and we’re working through everything. I’ve finally gotten rid of Mom’s toxicity, I’m going to get to know my sister, and we’re going to get to eat together. Good food. Not damn vegetables!”
Aria burst out laughing.
There was a sudden honking of a horn.
“That’s Michael. Our food is ready. We ordered takeout.” Isabella hugged her tightly. “You’re coming for Christmas dinner and I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Aria laughed. “Okay, fine. Christmas dinner.”
Isabella pulled away and Aria went to the door with her, watching as she rushed down the garden path. Michael was there and Aria raised her hand to give her a wave. Just before she got into the car, she turned. “Next time, don’t forget the whipped cream.”
She couldn’t help but laugh at her request. Whipped cream.
Closing her door, she flicked the lock into place and stepped toward her sitting room, seeing the dogs looking all snug and cozy. Aria clicked her fingers.
Feeding. That’s what she had to do. She made her way into the kitchen, grabbed a couple of cans of dog food, opened them up, and mixed in a few dry biscuits for them as well. With their bowls ready, she put them on the feeding mat as someone knocked on her door.
Aria frowned. Who could it be?
She walked to the door and this time checked through the peephole to see who it was. Opening the door, she was still a little taken aback. “Grant?”
He stepped inside and she was so shocked that she didn’t even try to stop him. He closed and flicked the lock on the door. She didn’t argue with him. Didn’t stop him.
He cupped her face and then slammed his lips on hers.