Page 51 of From the Embers

I’d love that!

Carrie

I’ll check with him what day we’re thinking to make sure you’re not working

I know Mom would love to come, but she’s still teaching, whereas Dad retired last year.

Adi

Sounds like a plan. I work mainly nights, so any day suits me

Adi

I miss you

Carrie

I miss you too

Carrie

Is everything okay?

Adi

Can I call?

Carrie

Sure

I dial, walking down the corridor. Sometimes you just need your big sister.

“Hey, sis,” she says.

I immediately burst into tears, telling her the whole saga—including me and Denver, all the way up to now.

“Well, that’s a lot to digest, but I always knew you and Denver would eventually get together,” she says, surprising me.

I frown. “You did?”

“It was obvious. After you graduated, he started to look at you differently, not just as our little sister.”

“I never knew.”

“Well, of course he never acted on it, because he’s older than you.”

“Do you think the age gap is too big?”

She snorts. “You’re reading way too much into this.”

“You’re right,” I sigh. “I just know Daryl’s gonna be mad.”

“I doubt it. He might surprise you. Some magnets just can’t be kept apart.”

I puff air out of my cheeks. “I can’t say anything to Mom and Dad until we’ve seen Daryl, that wouldn’t be fair. Plus, Denver texts him all the time, more than I do.”

“It’s gonna be okay, I promise. All any of us want is for you to be happy, sis, and if that’s with Denver, then I’m on board.”