"Not particularly."
"Good. Then consider it a favor."
She was glaring now. "So, let me get this straight. You're blaming me for the fact you've been avoiding your sister?"
"There's no blame," I said. "I've been busy."
"You'vealwaysbeen busy," she said. "But you've never been distant. And just in case it's not clear, I meant from Willow, not from me."
She was wearing dark jeans and a black turtleneck sweater. Her hair was loose and her eyes were flashing with anger. She looked so sexy, I wanted to leave the doorway, yank her into my arms, and kiss her like I had in the pantry.
Shit. What was it with me and closets lately?
But I knew what it was, and it had nothing to do with the location. It had to do with the girlinthe closet.
Cami.
She was the sweetest thing I'd ever known, even now, bristling with hatred.
When I said nothing in reply, she said, "And remember, I'm leaving tomorrow for a whole week."
"Nine days," I corrected.
"Fine. A week and two days then. The point remains. I hope you're not planning to hole up in your office the whole time."
"I'm not."
"Good. Because starting tomorrow, she's off school."
"Yeah, so?"
"So I hope you're planning to spend some time with her."
I felt my jaw clench. "You think I won't?"
"I don't know what to think. Do you realize, you haven't had dinner with her in like two whole weeks?"
I said it again. "Yeah, so?"
"So, what are you gonna do when I’m gone? Make her eat alone?"
No. I wasn't.And the truth was, I'd been keeping to myself for Cami's sake. As far as Willow, I'd been planning to make it up to her over the Christmas break, when it would be just the two of us – along with some part-time help from the housekeeper and Arden, who'd made noises about having Willow over to bake Christmas cookies.
I told Cami, "Don't worry. It's handled."
"Good." And with that, she returned her attention to the box. She stood on her tiptoes and reached up to grip the bottom.
"Hang on," I said. "I'll get it."
"I'm fine," she said.
"Yeah, until the box hits you in the head."
She stopped and gave me a look. "Would you care?"
"Hell yeah, I'd care. What? You think I wouldn’t?"
"I have no idea," she said. "You're the most confusing person I've ever known."