I fiddled with the ring on my finger, twirling it round and round. The ring was a lovely gesture, but it wouldn’t work. I’d already made an appointment with my jeweler, who was a genius at redoing gems and gold. He’d redone a good bit of Mom’s and Clare’s pieces for me. Annoying to take this extra step, but necessary because I wouldn’t spend the rest of my life bothered by a ring that should carry such meaning. The ring might not have been right, but I would fix that. Just like I fixed everything.

Marisa entered the restaurant only a minute late, and I was pleasantly surprised. My sister was chronically tardy because she liked disrupting everyone’s world. She was so afraid of boredom that she created chaos for entertainment value. Likely that was what had prompted this little invite.

But that was the old Marisa, I reminded myself. Marisa 2.0 wasn’t perfect but was an improvement, thanks in large part to all the effort I’d put into her. I rose, laying my napkin beside my place setting.

Marisa was dressed in dark pressed pants, a light cowl-neck sweater, and boots. She’d styled her hair and was wearing makeup. A far cry from the woman exhibiting all the hallmarks of a binge. Miracles do happen.

She kissed me on my cheek. “I’m so glad you could join me. Last-minute invites always feel presumptuous. And I wanted to see you in person to apologize.”

The apology was an unexpected pleasure. “Sisters fight. Emotions run high. I get it.”

“I thought a dinner with just the two of us was in order.”

“Agreed.” We’d come here as kids with our father and mother to celebrate the holidays. The decorations were festive (Mom wasn’t a decorator), and more importantly, the food was delicious (Mom wasn’t a cook).

Marisa smiled. “Seemed only right we celebrate your engagement. This is a big deal.”

Our argument had rolled off her back so easily. She’d accused me of poisoning her. I’d never poisoned anyone. I’d dispensed medicine. This mood shift of hers triggered my suspicions, but I was skeptical by nature, which was what made me such a good attorney. But I had to let whatever conspiracy theories go. “Thank you.”

“We need to spend more time together. We’re all that remains of the family.”

I reached for my water glass, which was slick with condensation. “Soon we’ll have David.”

Marisa’s smile widened. “He seems very nice.”

“He is. I never thought I could be so happy.”

“You deserve this,” Marisa said.

The waitress came, I ordered a white wine, and Marisa stuck with seltzer. I considered not ordering wine but decided responsible drinking was a part of my life, and Marisa needed to adjust.

“David mentioned engagement pictures. I’d love to take them,” Marisa said.