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table.
    Julia pushed the folder back to her. “You’re right, this is a really nice place. I own it, and under ordinary circumstances, I would never consider renting it. But for you, I’m more than willing to make the offer. The rental cost may be more than you’ll ever want to pay, but at least ask me what the cost is.” She lowered her voice. “At least ask me.”
    Bianca fingered the folder, then looked inside again. “Okay, what’s the cost?”
    â€œBe my sister again.”
    â€œYou’re joking. That’s it?”
    â€œThat’s it, no joke,” Julia assured her, nodding in the face of her sister’s disbelief. “That’s what I’ll charge you for rent. Just be my sister, my real sister, again.”
    â€œI—I think I’d like that.” Bianca’s smile suddenly slipped. “We don’t have to do each other’s hair or have sleepovers in matching pajamas or anything, do we?”
    â€œWell, that’s just stupid,” Julia sputtered. “I didn’t say let’s go crazy. I said let’s be sisters again.”
    â€œAre you still going to be pushy? Oh, God, and nosy, too?”
    â€œNo more than usual. I just think that if we can be sisters again, maybe we could even become friends—with time and practice, of course. That would be enough for me.”
    â€œSisters again…” Bianca toyed with her fork, buying time as she made up her mind. “Right now, there is nothing in the world that I would like more.”
    â€œI’m glad, and don’t forget, because I plan to collect.”
    â€œHow are you going to write that up in a lease?”
    â€œAm I going to have to?
    â€œI promise, you’ll have my rent on time.” Bianca smiled. “Because as much as you need to collect it, I think I need to pay it.”
    Julia grinned and lifted her glass of iced tea. She laughed when Bianca touched her glass with her own. “Here’s to sisters,” they said together.

CHAPTER 4
    Bianca sat in the middle of the double bed, scribbling her way across another page of her notebook, knowing that her time in the dingy motel room was nearly at an end. Flipping sheets of paper back and forth, she studied the tasks she’d outlined, and it didn’t take long to settle her priorities. I need to eat and pay bills. Business wins.
    She flipped open her cell phone, and, for a minute, was almost afraid that KPayne had somehow managed to cut her phone off, too. But he didn’t pay this bill; she did. KPayne didn’t run everything.
    Starting with her staff and suppliers, she made calls filled with promises and deals. Explaining Vive la Reine’s present circumstances and its future, she kept her tone upbeat and optimistic. Some people seemed sympathetic; others were simply willing to trust her, and forgiveness crept along the edge of her thoughts. Thanks to KPayne’s money, she had a good reputation, and it looked like that reputation was going to keep Vive la Reine afloat.
    Sudden gratitude pushed through her thoughts. He wasn’t all bad. Their time together hadn’t all been bad; in fact, they’d shared some good times, and he had helped her out with the loan she couldn’t get anywhere else. Maybe they could at least remain friends.
    Whoa! What the hell am I thinking?
    Somewhere in the back of her mind, she heard Erica Lane’s voice, scolding and intense: You just like getting kicked in the head, don’t you? How do you expect to be friends with someone who doesn’t care about you? That boy doesn’t want to be your friend. And he threw you out. Do you need to be reminded that he doesn’t care where or how you landed?
    Linking her fingers behind her head, Bianca stretched and paid attention to her thoughts. He’s out there living his life, and I’m sitting here. My best bet is to take care of myself. Build a life and a future for Bianca