“I haven’t seen you in six months. Betsy was empty. I don’t want to hear about you being found lying in your own excrement on the floor. This is our sister talk. You’re fucking up. You need to man up and handle it.”

“Mandle it?” I said, smiling brightly.

Finley was trying to keep it light, but she quickly wiped her eye.

I reached for her. “Fin. I’m fine.”

She nodded. “I know. We’re all fine until we’re not.”

“Come on. You’ve been traveling all day. We’ll run you a hot bath, relax, and order in.”

She smiled at me. “No wonder you’re bored. That sounds dreadful.”

“Fine, take a hot shower, and then we’ll go to dinner and find a bar with a bunch of hot locals.”

She grinned. “Much better.”

The Grove was busy but not packed. Odd for ski season, but I counted us lucky. Finley was dividing her time between her Kir Royale and the surrounding tables, relishing in the curious attention she was getting simply for being beautiful.

“I’ve always liked the men here. They’re a different kind of sexy than what we’re used to. Gruff. I’m liking the beards.”

“Most of them aren’t actually from here.”

She shrugged. “Neither are we.” Her phone buzzed, and she tapped a quick reply, annoyed with whoever had sent the message.

“Mother?”

Finley shook her head. “Marco’s just checking in.”

I leaned in, my nearly exposed breasts pressing against the table. Finley noticed, but only allowed them to distract her for a moment.

“Is he in love with you?” I asked.

“I don’t know. Probably. Where did you get that top? It makes your tiny tits look freakishly perky.”

“My tits are not tiny.”

“Please,” Finley said as the waiter dropped off our edamame. “You’re barely a B-cup.”

“Not everyone wants to surgically insert double-Ds, Fin.”

She looked up at the waiter. He began to speak, but she cut him off. “Yes, I want another. No, there is nothing else you can get for us right now. Yes, the edamame is superb. Thank you.”

He nodded and left for the kitchen.

“He’s going to spit in our food,” I said, watching him disappear behind a swinging door.

She breathed out a laugh. “I wasn’t rude. I just made his drive-by efficient.” Her eyes lit up, and she stood, embracing Sterling. “Hello, my love!”

Sterling kissed her cheek, and then again square on the mouth. She didn’t flinch.

He looked into her eyes, shaking his head and smiling. “Fin. You’re beautiful.”

She smiled. “You’re right.”

Sterling held the back of Finley’s chair until she sat, and then he helped push her forward. I turned my face as he leaned down, allowing him to peck my cheek.

“Disclaimer … I kissed your sister,” Sterling said, sitting down next to Finley.