Episode 452: When You Believe

Big sis suddenly frowned at herself. "Who am I to get huffy over that stuff? Goodness knows I’ve had my zombie moments, months even."

So had little sis, but not lately, not either sister, Adria realized with a smile. Everything was really starting to work out.

"Is everything okay?" Justine asked, blanketing their brother’s hand with her own.

"He’s better than okay," Adria spoke for him. "He’s in love, Justy. Who can concentrate when they’re heavy duty into those early days of positively requited love?" More than two years into knowing Ryley, and Adria still found it a struggle to maintain focus around him, even around thoughts of him. Like now, it took a great deal of willpower to wrestle her attention back to her siblings.

"It’s more like negatively requited love," Sebastian corrected in a low voice. In response to their empathetic stares, he added an explanation. "We’re loaded down with baggage. As much as we both want to toss it out the window, it isn’t that easy. So, I’m sorry Just, but I won’t be showing up at your dinner party Saturday night. The last thing Ava and I need is to be around mom and dad right now. With all that history, it won’t help the future seem any rosier."

"You’re going to have a rosy future," Adria insisted. "We all are." It was one of the few instances where she disagreed with Ryley, though even then, she knew how much he hoped she was right.

"My rosy future starts Saturday," Justine announced. "When I introduce my boyfriend to the parents."

Episode 453: Let's Try It Again