Olivia flipped around on the double bed where she’d been sleeping in her aunt’s loft bedroom the last few months and faced her sister, sweeping her still-damp hair behind her and flipping her pillow over for a dry spot. “I could’ve not showered, and you could put up with the smell of river water all night.”

Ava let out an exaggerated sigh and settled deeper under the covers. “I don’t know how I’m going to do this.”

Olivia gave Ava’s forearm a squeeze. “You’re going to rock it the same way you do everything.”

After Olivia had gotten out a good cry and explained the crazy, unexpected turns of the day, they’d talked about what was going on in Ava’s marriage. At least, as much of it as Ava understood. She’d kept silent about it, but she’d sensed Wes had been growing distant for the last few months. He’d claimed it was because Ava was too controlling, and maybe her sister did have an above-average share of control issues that could use some working through, but from all the things Ava had mentioned, it seemed clear Wes was working through something deeper of his own.

“How do you fall out of love in your first year of marriage?” Ava swiped angrily at a few stray tears. “We were doing all the right things. Sex on the counters and in the shower and in the bathtub. Dinners out at least once a weeknight and on weekends. We cooked together most of the other times. At least when I wasn’t showing property. I snuggled in the crook of his arm while he read before falling asleep. We have a laundry service, so he can’t blame me for screwing that up.”

Olivia was considering her answer when Ava shot up into a sitting position and slammed her fists onto the bed. “And I have grievances too. No matter what he eats, he leaves skid marks in the toilet, and he never notices them. He’s always forgetting to use a coaster or an insulated mug. And it’s politics, politics, politics. Can we not listen to the news for one day?”

Fighting off a wave of exhaustion, Olivia sat up and cradled her sister in her arms. She suspected that right now, Ava wanted an ear more than she wanted answers. Not that Olivia had them. Instead of answering, she smoothed her hand over Ava’s back after draping her long, dark hair over her other shoulder. It was obvious, too, that her sister was holding back. Ava had never been one to talk out her problems. Mostly she bottled them up like they didn’t exist. Until things like this popped up.

Gradually, the tension in Ava’s muscles began to relax, and she let out a soft sigh. “Thanks. That helps. Can you rub my shoulders, please?”