“I didn’t move in with him. I need to get out of my father’s house, and Ryder offered me the apartment. It’s not permanent or anything.”
Juliet’s face had closed down. “And Theo doesn’t know?”
“Not yet. I just moved today. I had a fight with my father—well, you should know why. I mean, he seems serious about your mother. I don’t want to get in their way.”
“But what about you and Theo?”
“To be honest, I don’t know. Theo’s working for my dad now. Dad says he’s a good worker. I don’t want to get in the way of that, either.”
Juliet leaned toward Beth. “You are such an only child. Are you afraid that if Theo does something wrong, Mack will yell at him or fire him?”
“Well, that could happen.”
“Realistically, it absolutely could. And you know what? Theo could go get a job doing something else. Maybe he’s not cut out for the construction business, but maybe he is. Or he’ll knuckle down and work harder. The point is, you can’t be afraid of Theo and Mack arguing. You can’t be afraid that your daddy will be mean to your boyfriend. Men argue all the time. And believe me, siblings argue all the time. We say terrible things to each other and slam out the door and fifteen minutes later we’re sharing a bowl of popcorn in front of Saturday Night Live.”
“I suppose you’re right…” Beth fiddled with a pen. Suddenly straightening, she said, “Okay, if we’re being honest, let’s talk about Ocean Matters. I could tell during the meeting today that you kept pushing Ryder’s attention to what I have accomplished.”
“Well, you have done all the organizational bit.” Juliet shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “And I don’t want to take your job.”
“I don’t think you need to replace me. I think Ocean Matters needs both of us, and I think you and I work well together.”
“Do you have a contract?”
“No. It was Prudence Starbuck who contacted me about working here. I had barely landed back on-island when she sort of hijacked me into this. I’m getting an excellent salary but we haven’t had time to do all the human resources groundwork.”
Juliet folded her arms and settled back in her chair. “This is interesting, Beth. Very interesting.”
“Does that mean you want to work with me?”
“I’m not sure.” Juliet held up her hand. “Not being mean. Stating facts. Because, well, here, let me show you.”
Juliet flicked open her phone and brought up her email. She scrolled down and handed it to Beth.
Beth read slowly, scrolling down. Sitting back, she stared at Juliet with admiration. “Juliet, all these groups want to hire you to do their social media.”
Juliet smiled. “I know. Ever since we put up the OM website, I’ve had crazy mad offers from all sorts of places.”
“But you’re working for Kazaam, right?”
“Right. And I’m working for OM free of charge. Obviously I can’t keep doing that forever—”
“But OM’s budget is certainly large enough to pay you.”
“I know. Plus, a lot of groups are offering a huge salary and great perks.”
“But would you have to move to New York, or wherever?”
“No, that’s the beauty of my job. I can work anywhere as long as I’ve got my laptop.” Restless, Juliet rose and paced the office. “I like my job at Kazaam, but it’s not very challenging. These other organizations, especially Ocean Matters, are important. Necessary. World-changing. I want to be part of that.”
“But you couldn’t work for two or three places at once…”
“Of course I could, if I had my own company,” Juliet told Beth triumphantly. “I could pick and choose from these offers. So I could work and travel with Ryder at the same time.”
“Travel with Ryder?”
“Yes.” Juliet tilted her head and peered at Beth from under her eyelashes. “Ryder asked me to travel with him. Well, to be with him.”
“Oh, wow, Juliet. That’s awesome.” Beth hesitated. “Do you love him?”
“I don’t know. And I don’t want to rush into anything. I’ve done that and it doesn’t always go well. But he’s fascinating, Beth. I’m madly attracted to him. He’s like work and romance rolled into one delicious Ferrero Rocher.”
“Wow,” Beth said. “This is huge.”
“It is,” Juliet agreed. “But I’m really excited about starting my own business, and Ryder is so passionate about Ocean Matters. I think we could both work and be together.” Juliet paused. “I think we could. I’m not sure, and it’s scary, but I want to try.”
“You are amazing,” Beth said.
“Thanks,” Juliet said. She gave Beth a challenging look. “So you wouldn’t mind working with me on OM, right?”
“Well, of course not,” Beth said.
“Okay, then, how would you like to be my stepsister, too?” When Beth looked confused, Juliet said, “If your father marries my mother.”
Beth said faintly, “Marriage? Are they talking about marriage?”
“I don’t know, but wouldn’t it be nice?”
“I’m not sure…” Beth studied her hands, as if the answer were there.
Juliet shrugged. “Well, your father could marry a younger woman who could have a baby, and then you’d have a half-sibling.”
Beth lifted her head and smiled at Juliet. “Oh, I think I’d much rather have you in my family.”
“And my brother, too?” Juliet asked with a mischievous smile.
“I’d like to have your brother in my life,” Beth answered honestly. “No, the truth is, I’d love to have him in my life. And, Juliet, don’t tell him what I said.”
“I won’t. I promise. But I do think he’s crazy about you.”
Beth blushed. “I think we should get back to work.”
“You’re right,” Juliet said. “Now where were we?”
“We’ve got to post about the shark,” Beth reminded her.
They set their laptops together and worked side by side companionably, questioning, commenting, choosing, and both of them wondered secretly if this was what it felt like to have a sister, and both of them decided secretly that if so, it was extremely nice.