I heave a breath. Logical. I have to be the logical one because Jamie has cracked.

“Mom, I’m not interacting with him because I want his money. I don’t want anyone’s money! I’m just tight on it because I had to quit my job—”

“Yeah, I understand that and I’ve been endlessly understanding, and in return, you’ve sent your sister to emotionally abuse me! Do you know what she’s done this past week? She’s been terrorizing me!”

81. A Girl Is Hanging with Her Family!

JAMIE

September 8, Tuesday

Nevada

Siri and Mara are screaming at each other. Dad turns his attention in my direction.

“What happened to your forehead?”

I touch my scar self-consciously. “A fishing boat–canoe hybrid flipped on me. Almost drowned.”

“Jesus Christ, Jame. Okay, I’m glad you’re okay…” He puts a hand to his forehead and blinks a million times like his brain is malfunctioning. “Do you know about your sister and Dawn?”

I bob my head. “Yes, I know of both their existences, thank you, Father, oh wise one.”

Dad blows out an exhausted breath. “Ha-ha, I’m not talking about their existences.” He puts on a silly Valley girl accent for that last word.

I shoot him a deadpan look. “What about them, Father?”

“She and Dawn, I think they’re an item.”

“An item?” I mimic him. Why have I resorted to mimicry? Shit, I’m tired. I glance over at Mara yelling and find Siri watching me with a worried expression.

“What?” I ask, grinning at her. My heartbeat grows louder. “Why are you looking at me like that?

I glance back at Dad who’s now sheepishly frowning at the floor. I turn back to Siri. “Are you … and Dawn, what … like dating?” I slur. “It’s only four days, I just talked to her…” I can’t form a sentence.

I brace my hands against my knees, thinking of Zarar. How intense our connection feels; we’ve only been on one date and talking for a little over a week. My sister cannot be romantically interested in my best friend in the universe. She can’t have her. That’s against the woman code. They can’t do that.

“We’re not date … ing.” The words trip slowly out of Siri’s now-frightened mouth.

“No.” I shake my head, feeling like my lungs have deflated.

Of course this would happen. Siri’s better at being me than I am. She’s probably better for Dawn. She’s nicer. Even with her mood swings and angry outbursts, she cares so much about everything.

Dawn and I fixed things last night. She forgave me, didn’t she? She didn’t say anything about Siri. Why wouldn’t she have told me? She didn’t even mention Siri. What if Siri moves in with Dad now?