"What do you mean, your premarital asset? You married into this family. That makes us one family. Why are you talking like we're strangers?"
"Making your own sister-in-law sign an IOU? If word got out, we'd be the laughingstock of every relative we have!"
I picked up an apple from the coffee table and began peeling it, slow and deliberate.
"I've been married for all of five minutes and I'm already dipping into my personal savings for my sister-in-law.
People who don't know better might think I was so desperate to marry your son that I'm buying my way in. Now THAT would be embarrassing."
"You..." Laurel's jaw clenched so hard the muscles in her cheeks twitched.
Maya grabbed her mother's arm just in time:
"Forget it, Mom. I'll figure something out on my own."
That evening, Joel came home from work.
He stood in the doorway in a white dress shirt, leaning against the frame. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, striking features.
In my past life, that face was all it took. I fell for him completely, loved him until it killed me.
He looked like he'd been out entertaining clients. Too much to drink. His gaze was slightly unfocused.
He loosened his tie and sat on the edge of the bed, squinting at me.