He flashed me a shit-eating grin, lying back on the couch, crossing one leg on top of the other as if he had no care in the world.
"Oh, you think this is how it works, right? You reply with a grunt, or if I'm lucky, you give me a one-word answer, but I’m supposed to tell you everything?"
"Ian," I cautioned.
He cocked a brow, clearly not impressed.
"You know what? Talk to Isabelle. She went on and on, and I kind of tuned out."
I froze. "She went on and on?” What exactly did she have to go on and on about? What did Mel tell her? "You're no help."
"Hell yes I am. I got Isabelle on the case, didn't I?"
Ian rose from the couch, straightening the collar of his shirt. "I'll be next door in my office. Let me know about the plane tickets. We don't have much time. We have to go out ASAP if we want to make it."
"I know," I said, rubbing my jaw. As soon as I was alone, I called Isabelle. She answered before the first ring was even over.
"I’m impressed. It took you less than a minute to call me after Ian left your office."
I shook my head, even though she couldn't see me. "You two are still on my case."
"Obviously. What are siblings for?"
I laughed. "Right now, I don't know the answer to that.”
"I know it, brother dearest! We dote on you, and you love it. You just don’t always admit it. How is it going with the appeal?"
"Let me get this straight. You and Ian gossiped all day, but you didn't ask him about it?"
"Hey, we had other priorities. Besides, you don't have to answer. I was using it as a warm-up to get you in in the mood for talking."
I laughed. My siblings were something else. "Isabelle, what did you and Mel talk about today?"
"Well, she told me about your fight.”
"I have no idea what happened this morning," I admitted. “She just said those things, and I was too stunned to reply."
"And let me guess, then you got angry."
"How do you know that?" I stopped pacing, listening intently, not wanting to miss one word.
“Because you're my brother. And you've got your issues too. Look, both of you do. Her last relationship broke up because the guy considered her a burden. Your last relationship broke up because she wasn't ready for the next step with you.”
"This morning, her reaction didn’t make sense, but now it does.”
“So... do you have a plan? Need my help?”
“I’m working on one, but I have to fly out to Seattle to sort out this mess.”
“I know. Ian told me. The plane leaves in two hours.”
I laughed, clasping the phone tighter. These two were taking gossiping to a whole new level.
“I can help.” Her tone was conspiratorial like when we were kids and she offered to play peacemaker between Ian, me, and our parents when we got in trouble. She was terrible at it then, but she’d sharpened her skills over the years.
“Good. I was hoping you’d say that.”
“Yes! Fire away, brother. I’m up for anything.”
***
Mel
“This was delicious,” I said as I threw the empty food containers in the bin. I’d stopped by Dad’s with curry. “It’s super late. I think I’m going to go.”
“Is there something on your mind, Mel?” Dad asked.
I wasn’t surprised that he picked up on my worries. After the walk with Isabelle, I didn’t even have time to breathe for the rest of the day. I had back-to-back sessions, but my thoughts turned into a dark cloud as soon as I left Genesis. I didn't want to worry him, but I didn't want to keep everything inside either, not just because I felt I might explode but because I wanted to hear Dad's opinion.
I sat down at the table, telling him everything. It poured out of me.
"I screwed up, Dad, and I want to make it up to him."
"Good girl. You do that. Don't stay upset with each other too long. It's not good. Be honest. Tell him everything."
"Thanks, Dad."
"Now, come on, off you go. You've coddled me enough."
I laughed, taking that as a sign that he was okay since he was shooing me away. Dad wasn’t a man of many words.
I kissed his forehead before grabbing my bag and leaving the house. I wasn't sure what to say or do. Should I go to Dylan’s office? Was he even at the office, or was he at home? It was late, but then again, he was dealing with a crisis.
I played with the phone in my hand all the way back into the city. I didn't want to call him when I was riding the train because what I had to tell him was intimate, and I didn't like everyone overhearing. But by the time I arrived at the station, I lost my nerve, so instead of calling Dylan, I called Isabelle.
"Hey, Isabelle," I greeted when she picked up.
"Hey, I was just going to call you."
“Oh? Why?”
"First, you tell me why you're calling."
I laughed nervously. "Well, I've been wondering if you've been talking to Dylan."
"I have," Isabelle said without giving any other detail.
"You're going to make me pull the words out of you, aren't you?"
“Yes, I will. I'm enjoying that everyone calls me for advice."
"Everyone? That includes Dylan?"
"Obviously."
"How is he?" I asked.
"Well, he and Ian are going to Seattle for a few days. I think he just boarded the last plane available today."
I stopped walking, bringing a hand to my chest. Oh my God. He had to be very hurt and upset with me if he left without even talking to me first. I teared up.
"Was he that mad?" I whispered.
"No, silly. That's not why I’m playing intermediary. I think you might not be the only one who doesn't know exactly what to say.”
I sat on a bench outside the station, listening intently. "So, about those tips?" I prompted.
Isabelle chuckled. "First, I need some answers from you."
"O-okay." I hadn't expected this.
"Do you miss him?"
"A lot."
"And you do know he cares so much about you that he has been bending over backward for you the past few weeks?"
I closed my eyes, drawing in a deep breath. “Yes.”
"So you understand that pushing him away is never, ever an option, okay? Don't. It crushes his spirit."
"I know."
She let out a loud yelp that made my ear ring. “Okay. You've passed the test."
I laughed despite feeling down. "What?"
"I wanted to make sure you're head over heels."
"Okay, so you had to rake me over the coals first for that?"
"That was not raking you over the coals. That was me asking a few questions."
"Right." I fiddled with my thumbs, wondering how it felt when she really raked someone over coals. “You were much more understanding earlier today.”
“That’s because I wanted to be the shoulder you cried on. Now I’m the devil’s advocate. So about that advice. I suggest you pick up the phone, tell him everything you told me."