“If you say so, but then let me tell you this for free…” She leaned in, covering the corner of her mouth like she was whispering.
“I think Dr. Henshaw likes her.”
“Lexie!?”
“Just saying…” She surrendered with a shrug.
“I have seen the way he looks at her and always offers to help her do stuff. He is completely enamored by her, and he is a fine dude.” She said with a mischievous smirk.
As much as I just wanted to shut my little sister up and bundle her out of my room, I couldn't help the jealousy that stirred in my heart. I suddenly felt possessive of Licia. If Lexie was trying to cajole me into action, it was definitely working.
“So, don’t wait forever to make things right or you might lose her,” Lexie submitted, pulling me away from my thoughts.
“I have heard you. Can I go back to sleep now?”
“Is that all you can say?” She asked, pretending to be hurt.
I played along. “I never asked for the information, did I? What would you have me say?”
She hissed, “How is it that I am related to you, again?”
“You'll have to ask mom and dad.”
Lexie shook her head. “I don't know what to do with you.” She let out a sigh.
“I need to retire to bed. I have a long practice after school tomorrow.”
She rose to leave and I followed behind.
“Good night, Lexie. One more thing…”
She turned back.
“What?”
“Thank you, princess. You are a darling.”
She flashed me a wide grin. “Anytime, big bro.”
I took some time to ponder on what Lexie said. I had seen her take a strong liking to Licia in the last couple of days. It was always Licia this or Licia that.
They always talked and laughed like they had no cares in the world, and I envied that.I wanted to be that free with Licia once again, but first, there were bridges to mend.
***
The next morning, Licia pulled up in our driveway a little later than usual, and she came alone. Corbin had earlier hinted that our session for the day would start by noon, so I wasn’t expecting him any time soon.
Lexie and my parents had left almost immediately after breakfast, so I was home alone, busying myself with pep talks and a million rehearsals on how to have ‘the conversation’ with Licia. The one we had been avoiding like a plague.
I heard Licia talking with Mascot in the hallway before she knocked on the door almost inaudibly. My heart rate became erratic instantly. Her presence had a crazy effect on me, even after all these years.
“The door is open,” I responded, leaning up against the bed for composure.
Licia made her way into the room. She always looked smart in her scrubs, with her hair packed into a ponytail and the end rolled into a bun.
For the first time since our encounter at the hospital, I summoned the courage to look at her face without breaking my gaze. She was breathtakingly gorgeous with steely eyes that could make one confess to a crime they didn’t even commit.
“Good morning, Mr. Brown,” she greeted in an icy tone, dropping her tote bag on the footboard bench.
