know what you’re doing but I’m not so sure.” Rose’s expression was heavy on the irritation but tempered with concern. “Why did you leave a perfectly good job with a stable company to start a business during a horrible economic climate?”
Cupboards opened and shut as Lily began serving dinner.
Iris arched a brow. “Because it was obvious I wasn’t going to advance there.”
“At least you had a steady income.” Rose threw up her arms. “You could pay your bills. You had health insurance, life insurance, a retirement account and sick days. You won’t be able to stay home when you’re sick now.”
“I rarely used my sick days when I had them.”
“Here.” Lily forced a soup bowl into Rose’s hands, then crossed back to the counter.
“But at least you had them.” Rose remained focused on Iris.
“That’s fine for you to say.” Iris gestured toward her sister. “People at your company respect you and your experience.”
“You have to pay your dues, Iris.”
“Pay my dues?” Her head was going to pop off her neck. “I’d been with RGB for six years. Meanwhile, new employees were coming in without my experience and leapfrogging over me up the corporate ladder, getting more money and more seniority, while I was doing all the work.”
“So you bit off your nose to spite your face.”
“What are you talking about?” Is Rose even hearing me?
“Rather than stay and fight, you jeopardized your career and your financial security. Meanwhile, the people you were trying to get even with will be fine.”
“This isn’t about revenge.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’d been fighting for six years, Rose.” Iris crossed her arms. “It was clear I wasn’t going to win that war.”
“Here.” Lily shoved the stew at Iris.
Iris took the bowl. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to eat my dinner in peace.” Lily carried her stew and ice water toward the dining room.
“You’re just going to leave us?” Iris frowned at Lily’s back.
Her middle sister turned to face her. “Do you think it’s fun for me, listening to the two of you argue all the time? Why do we have these family dinners if it’s not to enjoy what’s left of our family?”
Iris glanced at Rose. “I—”
“It’s just us.” Lily sounded tired. “Dad’s been dead almost three years. Mom died less than a year ago. I’m in this house, surrounded by happy memories of our past. Then you two come in and shout them down. I don’t want to do this anymore. I’m not going to do this anymore. Eat your food, then leave.”
Iris’s skin heated with shame as Lily walked away. “She seems pissed.”
“Yes, she does.”
“She never gets pissed.”
“No, she doesn’t.” Rose sighed. “And she’s right. We’re lucky to have each other. We shouldn’t forget that.”
Iris nodded. “We should apologize to her.”
“Let’s do it.”
Iris squared her shoulders, then led the way into the dining room. Lily sat alone at the table set for three. Iris took the seat at the place setting across from her. Rose settled beside Iris. Lily ignored them.
Iris waited a beat. “I’m so sorry, Lil.”
“So am I.” Rose’s voice was soft, contrite.
Lily looked up. Iris held her breath, waiting for her sister’s response. Lily was the only one who even tried to understand Iris’s feelings. She’d never meant to repay her sister’s love and support with pain.
Lily spooned more stew. “So how was everybody’s day?”
Their laughter shattered the tension. Hours flew by as the sisters enjoyed dinner with seconds and dessert, and good conversation. They shared kitchen duty after the meal. Then Rose and Iris left. The outdoor lights illuminated the porch and driveway. Iris stood on the other side of the front door and listened as Lily connected the locks.
She joined Rose on the driveway. “Be careful driving home.”
“You do the same.” Rose paused beside Iris’s Camry. “Listen, if you decide to go back to work, I’m sure I can help you get a position with another company. I have connections in the business community.”
“I am working.” Iris struggled to keep a hold on her temper.
Rose held up her hands. “You know what I mean.”
“Yes, Rosie, I’m afraid I do.” Why are we forever at odds? “I appreciate your offer. But I don’t need my family’s help to get a job. I can do this on my own.”
“Iris—” Rose stopped herself. She exhaled a familiar, frustrated sigh, then started over. “I know you want to do this by yourself and I commend you. But promise me that, if things get too hard to handle on your own, you’ll come to Lil or me for help.”
“I promise.” But she wouldn’t need help. She was going to succeed on her own. She could do this. If only she could land a big enough account.
* * *
“Earth to Ty. Are you in here?”
Tyler glanced around at the sound of his cousin’s voice. Xavier Anderson, the company’s vice president of finance, strode into Tyler’s office Thursday afternoon. Donovan Carroll, their friend and vice president of sales, joined him.
“What?” Tyler was still clearing his thoughts from the computer programming problem that bedeviled him.
“We knocked three times.” Donovan jerked his clean-shaven brown head toward the door behind him.
Tyler followed the gesture, then returned his attention to the two men. They were both tall and fit, and similarly dressed in dark pants and long-sleeved jerseys.
“I didn’t hear you.” Tyler pressed a couple of keys to save his computer file.
“That much was obvious.” Donovan shoved his hands in the pockets of his gray Dockers. “We should assign someone to check on you in case of a fire. I’m sure you wouldn’t hear the alarm.”
“Van and I are going to lunch.” Xavier stopped behind a guest chair. “Do you want to join us?”
“No, thanks. I packed.” Besides, Lauren Cobb, Xavier’s girlfriend of two months, would probably be there. He’d rather eat alone.
“You’re
