Lisa perched on a stool in the backroom, scrolling through her phone. On Derek's page was a recently uploaded picture of Emily with the caption:
My girl. Thanks for coming into my life.❤️🌹
She knew her brother was doing everything he could to win Emily's forgiveness, and though a part of her wanted to reach out and help, she'd held herself back. Emily needed to forgive him on her own terms. Hopefully, they would finally make things work.
Lisa double-tapped the photo and kept scrolling. Instagram had a strange way of pulling her into other people's lives — the kind of peace she couldn't seem to find in her own. Her own profile was nearly empty, just a lonely picture from last year when she'd first joined.
A suggested profile popped up under People you may know.
Sophie Hayes.
Lisa clicked, curiosity getting the best of her. She discovered it was Leonard's sister. Her page was full of sunny and lively pictures. Sophie with her friends, Sophie at a beach. Then she saw one that made her pause. Sophie, Leslie, and an older man who looked almost exactly like Sophie.
Her mind pieced it together in silence. Leonard's father had introduced Henrietta and Nicholas as his wife and son. That meant the man in the picture was Sophie's father.
She quickly exited the page, warning herself not to get too curious about the man she was contractually bound to.
Her phone buzzed again. Emily calling.
"Hey, Emily! How are you?"
"Lisa. I'm... uh, great."
"How's Derek?"
"He's good. He went out. He finally got himself a job."
Lisa smiled faintly. "That's great news."
"Aren't you going to ask what I've decided?"
"No, Emily. I don't want to pressure you. Derek's my brother, but I can't interfere. You should do what feels right for you."
Emily sighed softly. "You're a good person, Lisa. So kind and understanding."
"I'm glad you think so. Whatever you decide, I'll always be here."
"I've decided to forgive him," Emily said after a pause. "I'll give him another chance. Hopefully he's learned his lesson."
Lisa hesitated. "Are you sure you're not doing this because of me?"
"No. I love him, Lisa. I really do. I want to see him become better."
"That's sweet," Lisa teased. "You two are such an amazing couple. Maybe I'll find someone worth that kind of faith someday."
Emily laughed softly. "You will. Anyway, I have to go. Talk soon?"
"Sure. And... thank you, really. For giving him another chance. He won't disappoint."
When the call ended, Lisa stared at the screen for a moment, her heart warm yet uneasy. She hoped Derek would fix up. She couldn't handle watching him fall back again.
She slid off the stool and was about to head back to the bar when a voice stopped her.
"Hey there."
Lisa turned, startled for a second before smiling. "Max. You came to chill?"
He shook his head. "Uh, no. I was actually looking for you. Wanted to talk."
"Oh?" She gestured to the stool beside her. "Sure. Sit."
He did, his hands resting awkwardly on his jeans. He wasn't wearing his usual security uniform but something casual. "You seem... I don't know, happy today."
"I guess I am. It's been a long week. What did you want to talk about?"
Max scratched the back of his neck, eyes darting everywhere but hers. "I—uh..." He gave a small, nervous laugh. "This is awkward."
Lisa tilted her head. "You can tell me. We've known each other a while now."
"Yeah." He exhaled, then looked straight at her. "Okay. The truth is... I like you, Lisa." His voice came out quieter than he expected, but steady. "You're kind, you listen, and you're just... real, you know? I didn't want to make things weird, but I couldn't keep pretending I didn't feel it."
Silence followed. The soft hum of the fridge filled the space between them. Lisa's heart gave a small, uneasy flutter.
"Oh, Max..." she began carefully. "I didn't know you felt that way."
"I figured." He smiled faintly, trying to hide his embarrassment. "You don't have to say anything. I just needed to get it out."
Lisa managed a small, gentle smile. "You're a good man, Max. You deserve someone who sees you that way too."
"I have to go. My neighbor's heading out, and Alanna's still at her place. I need to go get her."
Lisa nodded. "Of course. Go ahead."
He stood, gave her one last smile. "Goodnight, Lisa."
"Goodnight, Max."
As he walked out, Lisa found herself staring at the empty doorway. Something about his words lingered longer than she expected.
She sighed softly and rubbed her arms. If only feelings were that simple.
She didn't dislike Max, but her life had become too complicated for anyone's affection right now. Especially now that she had found herself in a contract marriage with a man like Leonard Kingston. Love was a luxury she couldn't afford.
Lisa took one last deep breath, squared her shoulders, and went back to work.