The bad blood between my sister and her got worse when Brianna and I became an item. At that point, I think it was a case of them becoming territorial. Katya has never wanted any woman near me, despite the fact I'm a few years older than she is. Add that to the already brittle relationship she had with Brianna, and to this day, I catch hell from my sister if I even mention seeing Brianna in town.
Then there was the near proposal, the cheating, the constant deployments … Katya regularly reminds me that Brianna didn't visit me in the hospital once after the incident that took my leg and avoided Mikael's funeral. It's almost understandable. While my family does a lot for the community, we're also very private. Sawyer came to Mikael's funeral with about two dozen others.
I'm not quite sure why I'm thinking of Mikael right now. Whenever I see Brianna, I'm reminded of him. It might be another reason why I don't want to let her go. However twisted the relationships were at one point, Mikael did care for her, too.
"I'm headed to New York for a job interview," she says, more cheerful than I've seen her in a while. "It's for a huge ad agency."
"You'll get it," I reply. "No doubt."
She smiles. "It's what I wanted to talk to you about. Things between us have been a little strange lately. I'm not quite sure there's even an us."
"I'm not sure either," I admit. "Sometimes I think we're trying to hang onto what was and not looking at what we are now."
"Maybe. Anyway, I wanted to be open about the job. And … I wanted to ask whether you'd be interested in going to New York with me if I get it … or if we need time apart or …" She searches my gaze.
"I'd never discourage you from following your dream job, Bri," I reply. "I've always admired how motivated and smart you are. You deserve whatever you want in this life."
She smiles, relaxing.
"I also think we should play it by ear," I add diplomatically. "I've got to do at least two years more here before I can request a transfer."
"You could get out," she reminds me. "You have the open offer to leave when you want."
I do, but I've never considered it. "You know I won't leave until they boot me out."
"Not even to come with me to New York? It's not like you need a job, Petr."
"I don't, but what I do makes me happy." I shrug. "I'm close to Baba, involved in the community, and serving my country."