Every Day (Brush of Love 2)

“Still pestering me about making partner. I told them I was doing the best I could, but my heart wasn’t in it for making partner. I told them I didn’t see myself in that role and that I saw myself opening my own practice or something.”

“Anna?” I asked. “What does that mean?”

“It means I got Mom and Dad to stop talking about me making partner. They aren’t happy about it, and they refuse to think about me opening my own practice with Mom still under the assumption I’m taking over hers when I’m her age, but I got them to shut up.”

“Well, there’s that,” I said. “Have they ...?”

“I’ve mentioned your gallery, Hailey. I have. I told them that the grand opening was wonderful and that so many people from all over the community came. I told them about your classes and how you were starting up your art therapy again, but you know how they are.”

“Meaning they didn’t say shit about it,” I said.

“When you make your first million, we can tell them together. I’m sure they’ll talk to you then.”

“Even though I wish that was sarcastic, I know it’s not,” I said, sighing.

“It still amazes me that we came from them, you know.”

“You and me both. You know who else is different from their parents?”

“Hailey.”

“Bryan. I couldn’t believe how different he was from his parents and how much he looks like his father. I mean, smack some white hair on him and add a few wrinkles, and he looks just like the man,” I said.

“Hailey.”

“And John. The spitting image of his mother. I almost couldn’t take my eyes off her. If you grew out John’s hair and gave him boobs—”

“Hailey!”

“What?” I asked.

“You’re doing it again,” she said.

“I’m sorry, but he’s permeated everything. I can’t look at my bed without seeing him. I can’t put my key in the lock without wishing he was behind me. I can’t make a damn cup of coffee without reaching for the mug he always used when he was here just to feel closer to him.”

“I wish I could tell you I understood, but even I don’t understand what you’re feeling. I’ve never fully been in love with any man. Hell, I never had enough time to date with all the shit Mom and Dad put me through in law school,” she said.

“You’re cussing again. You okay?” I asked.

“Yeah. My boss is giving me dirty looks.”

“Wait. You’re at work? It’s nine o’clock at night.”

“And law never sleeps,” she said, sighing. “I’ve got to get back to work. I love you, and I’ll fly out to see you soon.”

“With a box of wine,” I said.

“Yep. Maybe one for each of us, depending on where this Bryan thing sits when I get back out there next.”

“You keep up with those voice lessons. I want all the details and a performance when I see you,” I said.

“As long as you keep up that gallery and start coping with the fact that Bryan might not come back, I will,” she said.

“I’ll send you pictures like I always do.”

“And I’ll keep singing those high notes so loud you can probably hear them from Phoenix.”

“So that’s why my window busted last week. Way to go, sis,” I said, grinning.