Joy surged through her, and not caring how uncool or how much her twin hated it, she launched herself for a tackle hug. “I’m so happy you’re here!”
Izzy laughed and hugged her back. Red tinged her cheeks. “Me, too.”
They both turned at Maria’s voice, slightly husky from emotion. “My beautiful girls are here to dine with us. Today is a gift.”
Jim cleared his throat. “Perfect timing, sweetheart. Let’s go dig in.”
Dinner was idyllic. Izzy was quiet, but smiled more often. Her usual snarky comebacks were nonexistent. Gen noted her gaze consistently darted around the table, as if studying everyone’s mood. Did she have some type of announcement to make? Better to play it cool and let her sister open up when she felt comfortable. The idea of having a real relationship with her again made her heart ache with need. All those late nights giggling and sharing secrets. The way Izzy protected her from the bullies at school who made fun of them for looking alike. Crying together over the loss of their father, and holding hands under the table during the bitter fights between their parents. So many memories tumbling past her vision, and an ache she’d never been able to get over. As if a piece of her was always missing.
So she enjoyed her sister’s presence, drinking her in, and let the warm glow of family wash over her. Wolfe was comfortable with everyone but her father, so he got involved in the playful banter without hesitation.
God, she loved him.
Gen ducked her head and concentrated on her plate. How easy the admission was. No fanfare or drama. Just a quiet knowledge that all roads had led to Wolfe. All the pain, and growth, regrets of the past meant nothing now. In fact, the present was even sweeter for having found him on her own. Their timing had never been right before.
Until now. She had a chance. The plan was simple. Let him lead, follow Arilyn’s advice, and let the moment rule. One day he might just look up and realize he loved her, too. Realize it wasn’t that scary, and that he could finally trust her with his past.
“You look really happy.”
Gen tilted her head and gazed at her mother. The quiet words and knowing look gave her an approval she couldn’t have asked for but received anyway. “I am,” she said.
“Is David bothering you anymore?” Gina asked with concern. “That whole restraining order was really scary.”
Gen’s father mumbled something under his breath. Wolfe glared at her.
“He delivered all my stuff back,” she said. “He’s decided to take a position in Boston, so he’ll be moving soon.”
“Does that mean you’re going back to the hospital?” Lance asked.
Her gaze slid past Wolfe, who watched her with a burning intensity. “Maybe.”
“Why is it even a question?” Lance demanded. “You’re too far into your residency to quit. If seeing David was the main reason, you shouldn’t hesitate.”
Her family stared, waiting for an answer. She didn’t have one yet. She wanted to go back, but this time she refused to let anything or anyone stand in her way. Was she ready to recommit to endless work shifts, a sparse personal life, and the all-consuming resentment of everyone at the hospital? Was she looking at things differently because of her feelings for Wolfe? Gen finally spoke. “I need a little more time, Lance. If I go back, I know what’s waiting for me. I love medicine, but it’s a grueling schedule and takes everything out of me.”
Lance shook his head. “The longer you wait, the harder it will be. I say dive back in. Start on Monday. It’s not like you have a personal life or a fiancé anymore.”
Gina and Maria gasped. “Lancelot, you do not talk like that to your sister!”
“I didn’t mean it like that, Mom. I just wanted to point out she has no barriers any longer. I’m sorry, Gen.”
Gen waved her hand in the air. “I know what you meant. I’ll make my decision soon. I’d appreciate the support without pushing me about it.”
Lance tightened his lips but remained silent. Jim glared at Wolfe as if the entire dialogue was completely his fault. And Izzy ducked her head, concentrating on her plate like it held all the answers in the world.
What on earth was going on?
No announcements came at dinner, so Gen decided to take the leap. “Izzy, will you come upstairs with me? To talk?”
Her family took the lead and shooed them away, telling her they’d clean up. They climbed the spiral staircase and went to their old room. As they opened the door, a slight mustiness rolled over them, but much of the room was still the same. Pink walls. Shelves and knickknacks and the same scrolled white furniture. Same mirror with postcards, stickers, and old pictures. The beds had been replaced with one queen-size mattress for guests, but as they sat on the bed, all the years growing up together came surging back.
Izzy sat next to her. “Our room seems like it’s been locked in a time capsule. I wonder if that old Playgirl magazine is still in the closet,” she commented. “Mr. September.”
Gen laughed. “I was such a wreck Mom would find it! Should we check?”
The old wicked grin curved her sister’s lips. “Definitely.” She dragged a chair over, opened the closet, and reached up high to move one of the ceiling tiles. When they discovered one had broken, they’d kept the hiding spot as the go-to place that Maria would never find. Izzy jumped off the chair, waving a worn, tattered magazine in the air. “Got it!”
“No way. Bring it over.”
They squeezed together on the bed, flipping through the pages. Giggles broke through as they commented on their old favorites, groaned over some obscene positions, and reminisced about the good old days. “Every time Mom made us go to church, I’d think about this magazine to get even,” Izzy said. “Talk about Catholic guilt.”