Family Ties — читать онлайн бесплатно полностью

“So it’s settled,” Trip said. “I’ll let the owner know.”

She rolled her eyes but nodded. Then she extended a hand and took mine.

Wren and Christy each had an exam on Saturday, while I had two, including Joska’s. I hadn’t really studied, per se, but the whole quarter was basically one long study session. “Architecture is a serious business for serious people,” he claimed, and his exams were serious. I passed with flying colors.

I didn’t even need to see the grade; I just knew.

The girls and I spent Sunday studying.

Trip shut himself in his office and worked on a take-home exam for his management class. He spent all day on it and emerged looking like he’d gone ten rounds with Sugar Ray Leonard.

On Monday morning my mom called to remind me about Erin’s birthday.

I hadn’t forgotten, but I’d been too busy to buy her a card or anything. I promised to call that evening.

“We’re taking her and Leah and two other friends to dinner,” Mom said,

“but we should be home by nine.”

“Cool. Thanks. So… you’re still getting along better?”

“Paul, I swear, she’s a different person.

”

“Maybe you’re a different person too?”

“Maybe,” she said reluctantly. “Although she’s changed more than I have.”

“Well, whatever the case, I’m happy for you. Both of you.”

“Sorry, Mom, I need to go. Exams and all. I’ll call tonight and wish her a happy birthday.”

“Good luck on your exams. Love you.”

“Love you too. Bye.”

I called home later that night, and Erin and I talked like adults, which seemed weird. Part of me would always think of her as my bratty little sister, but the grown-up part realized she was a young woman instead.

And that young woman was someone I enjoyed being friends with.

On Wednesday we took a well-earned day off, but Trip and I spent the next two days working on the house, fixing and replacing things that had been bugging us for months. I floated the idea of adding an extra water heater in the attic for the third-floor bathroom, but I talked myself out of it before Trip could weigh in.

My reason was purely selfish: I liked spending time in the bathroom with Christy. We hadn’t done it since the party, but I wanted to leave the option open for the future.

Trip merely chuckled when I told him why I’d decided against the new

tank. His chuckle turned into a full-throated laugh when I made him promise not to tell Wren. She was smug enough already as it was.

He and I spent Saturday morning with Sayuri and the plans for her second house.