She came in and Killian shut the door. He caught my eye and mouthed, Sorry.
I shook my head with a small smile. It seemed like Mir had ambushed him with the visit, like my mom did with me when she needed somebody to sob to about Dad’s infidelity. I wasn’t going to hold it against him.
“Have you had breakfast yet?” I asked.
“Yeah, I ate on the way. An Egg McMuffin.”
“You eat like a kid,” Killian muttered, staying close to his sister.
“Breakfast of champions.”
I raised my eyebrows. He must have something against quick and tasty food. He’d said something similar over the shrimp scampi, too. As far as I was concerned, anything not ready to eat right out of a box or a bag was adult food.
“He disapproves, but I like food that I don’t have to slave over.” Mir noticed the notes on the coffee table. “Wow. Are those for the next book?”
“Yes, for the May release.” I started to move forward to stop her when she began to approach the table. They were my promo ideas and tasks to complete. I didn’t let anybody look at them except my mom and the PR company I’d hired.
“Hey, hey, hey,” Killian said before I could. “Stay away from her inspiration. You’re going to jinx it.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Mir stepped back, her gaze still on the notes. But she was too far away to read anything. Not to mention she’d have to decipher my shorthand. She turned to me. “I’m so glad to meet you. I worked extra hard to take time off.”
“Oh. Well…I hope it’s worth it.” I didn’t know what else to say.
“Totally.” Mir was gazing at me, her eyes shining. A moment of silence stretched.
“Um… Want something to drink?”
“I’m okay,” she said. “Thank you.”
Killian looked like he needed something strong, but he didn’t ask. And I didn’t offer. He knew where the alcohol was kept, and that he was welcome to it.
I gestured at Mir to sit with me at the dining table then flipped my notebook shut so she couldn’t see anything. Killian joined us, positioning himself between me and Mir.
“So what do you do?” I asked. Mir had spoken of taking time off like it was some sort of feat.
“I’m an accountant. I audit, though, which is the only reason I could take two days off. Otherwise, my manager would’ve fired me for even asking. I wanted more, but I have to drive back tomorrow after lunch. There’s a meeting I really can’t miss.”
I nodded. That was so corporate. And I didn’t miss that lifestyle. But I also felt guiltily grateful that she would be leaving tomorrow afternoon. I couldn’t deal with people in close proximity for much longer than that.
“By the way, are those for a book about Miriam Young?” Mir asked, gesturing at the papers.
“No.”
“Who’s Miriam Young?” Killian looked confused.
“One of my secondary characters,” I said. “A popular one.”
“Are you going to write about her?” Mir asked.
“Maybe at some point. I can’t say for sure.” Just because
a character was popular didn’t mean my brain came up with suitable ideas for a book. Actually, it was harder to come up with something for an established character because I had to work within specific parameters.
“I hope you do. I love Miriam Young, and it’s extra cool because we have the same first name. It got me so psyched, you know? The story felt more real to me. And if you write one about her, it’ll be like I’m inside the story when the hero whispers my name.”
Killian made a choking noise next to me. He was probably vowing never to read any book with a Miriam as the heroine.
Mir went on like she hadn’t noticed Killian’s reaction. “And…”