Jessica’s demeanor softens. “At least she loves her.”

“That is the only reason she’s allowed near her. As much of a horrific mother as she was, she’s nothing like that with Amelia. She’s kind and loving. They bake cookies—well, the cook prepares the dough and they put them on the sheet, but the point is that my mother tries with her.”

“I guess that’s all you can ask for.”

The other desk attendant walks over. “Sorry I took a few extra minutes, I hope I’m not in trouble,” Marie says.

“Not at all,” Jessica says. “I was actually going back in the office to review this report. Thank you, Mr. Parkerson, for being so kind.”

I push off the wall with a nod. “Of course. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Marie looks between us and then starts to work on the computer, ignoring the awkwardness. As Jess heads back to the office, I wonder if the problem with Jessica and me is that neither one of us ever asks for more.

Chapter 13

Jessica

I’m standing in front of the mirror, feeling awkward and stupid in this dress. I rub the satin material, trying to calm myself.

“You look gorgeous,” Winnie says as she enters my room.

“I look like I’m going to prom.”

She laughs. “Well, it was your senior prom dress.”

How I ever let my sister talk me into this charity dinner is beyond me. All of it is for her organization, and her date bailed on her. Since she’s one of the main reasons the event is being held, she begged me to go with her. Also, after I told her about the run-in with Eveline, she was damn near insisting I don’t back down since she mentioned to her I was attending.

“Of all the dresses that Mom kept, why this one? I was so stupid my senior year.”

The cut is not ugly, but the color is hideous. It’s one of those things that, when I was young, I thought matching my eyes would be a great idea, but now, looking at it, not so much.

“Who knows why she kept any of our shit, but it works, and the fact that you fit into a dress you wore when you were seventeen makes me hate you just a little.”

I grin. “It’s very tight, and I will probably rip the seam if I breathe too deeply.”

“Good. You can hold your breath all night for all I care. I have two pairs of Spanx on and can’t breathe. It can be our theme.”

I look at my sister in an emerald-green gown. Her sweetheart neckline drops deep into her cleavage, and the dress hugs her curves before flaring out slightly at the bottom. If I had a dress like that, I would wear two pairs too.