Tears spring to the corners of my eyes, welling up and ready to spill from this emotional heaviness that comes from being loved so much by my only sibling, whose life has teetered in the balance for months.
“Thank you, Han. I love you.”
“I love you more.” She pulls back. “God, I wish I had a bottle of bubbly or something on hand other than apple juice to celebrate with.”
I laugh. “It’s fine, really. Plus, I have to start packing. I’ve got a lot to cross off on my to-do list in just a few short days. I picked up some moving boxes already from the storage place just outside of town. And I spoke with Mrs. Sullivan today too, who was cool with letting me out of my lease early. So, it’s now just packing and cleaning.”
My sister’s tears suddenly turn into sobs. I grab the tissue box and hand her one.
“Hey, it’s okay. I’ll still come back and visit a lot. You and the girls can come out to Seattle in the summer…”
Hannah shakes her head, dabbing at her eyes and sniffling. “It’s not that. I’m sorry I can’t be of any help to you right now. You know I would…”
“Don’t be silly. Of course, I know you would if you could. In a heartbeat. You’ve always been here for me, Han. Always.” I take her hand in mine, covering her knuckles, her once vibrant skin now dull and ashy gray. “This job in Seattle isn’t just about me and my career, you know. It’s so I can help you and the girls. It’s the only way I know how to give back to you for all you’ve done to support me.”
We sit in silence for a while, hugging each other and crying, until our tears are dried up and we take a break to get Hannah some water.
Handing her a bottle, I unscrew the lid on mine and take a drink, when she finds a way to return the conversation back to the topic I was trying to sidestep earlier.
“So, who is he and when do I get to meet him?”
I sigh and take another drink of water before I tell her the entire story about Marek. All about our long conversations and interviews, about how I admire his leadership skills, and of course, all about our weekend fling in Chicago that’s now turned into something more.
“Marek sounds absolutely perfect for you, Harp. He challenges you. He admires your knowledge and intellect. He accepts and appreciates your independence. And it sounds like he is a stallion in bed.”
I playfully slap her knee. “I don’t kiss and tell, and I didn’t mention anything about his bedroom skills.”
My sister laughs. “You didn’t have to…I know just by looking at the way you blushed when you mentioned Chicago.”
I fold forward and drop my head into my lap. “Oh, my God. Stop.”
Hannah pokes me in the ribs and I wiggle away. “When do I get to meet him? I think your sister should have some say in whether he’s a good match for you.”
Just then my phone buzzes and I yank it out of my pocket, hoping it’s some work emergency and I have to leave this conversation immediately.
But it’s not. It’s Marek.
Big Man: I’ll be in Spokane at 8am. Need your address.
Big Man: Don’t even try to give me a fake one. I have it from your NDA on file. :-p See you tomorrow, babe.
“Holy shit,” I mumble, rereading the text again as Hannah encroaches in my space by leaning into my shoulder to read the text, too. “Speak of the devil and the devil appears.”
She gasps loudly, jiggling my shoulders with her hands. “Oh, Harper…that’s so sweet! He’s here to help you move!”
I lift my hands in surrender. “I guess your wish just got granted. You and the girls will be meeting him tomorrow.”