Twin Roses: A Beau Rivage Short Story by Sarah Cross Read Free Book Online

for being disappointed.”
    Pearl started to respond, and Ruby shook her head.
    “
But
I’m not disappointed that you’re happy. I feel left out. Like the curse came with a happy ending built for two and I don’t really have a place anymore. It was always you and me, or the three of us. And then … I mean, I had a crush on Theo, too. That was years ago, but when he first came back, I didn’t even have time to figure out how I felt before you guys … well, it’s obvious you’re made for each other. So I knew
that
before I knew what was going on in my heart. And it hurt.”
    “I’m sorry, Ruby.”
    “Shhh. Listen. I’m used to having you all to myself. We shared everything but I never had to share
you
. That’s new to me; I don’t know how to deal with that yet. No one ever came between us. No one ever made me feel like I was second—”
    “You’ll never be second.”
    “I know,” Ruby said with half a smile. “I was being stupid, too. So please: don’t try to give me your boyfriend. There’s been enough stupidity over this curse already.”
    “You’re really okay with it?”
    “More than okay.”
    “I’m glad,” Pearl said. “I can’t stand hurting you.” She hugged her sister—a long embrace that squeezed the worry out of her and made her feel like they were truly together again. “Can I do your nails now?”
    Ruby held out her hands. “Make me art.”
    Pearl painted a twin rose design: red roses on white polish, white roses on red. Before any enchanted bears had come into their lives, before the ungrateful thief, before the prince, the curse had been about them. Two sisters. Best friends. Girlswho protected each other, looked out for each other, loved each other. They would always share that.
    No matter what happened, that part of the curse would never be broken.
    Ruby stood on the porch like an overprotective mom while Theo walked Pearl to the car—their own mother was too laid-back to harass Pearl’s dates. Mrs. Ramble had met Theo inside, said it was nice to see him and that he was almost as cute now as he’d been as a bear. Then she’d told Theo and Pearl to have a good time. Reminding them about curfews was left to Ruby.
    “Make sure you bring yourself home by midnight,” Ruby called to her sister, since Pearl was driving.
    Thurston had brought Theo over so Theo could meet Mrs. Ramble, and now he added, “Don’t steal any picnic baskets!” But he pronounced it
pic-a-nic
, à la Yogi Bear.
    “Okay!” Pearl called back, laughing. She stuck her arm out the window and waved good-bye.
    Ruby watched her sister drive off on her first-ever solo date, feeling wistful. Then she turned to Thurston. “Did you scour the Internet for outdated bear jokes?”
    “Bear jokes never go out of style.”
    “I’m sure I’ll get to hear the rest of them. Well, have fun. Whatever you’re doing tonight.”
    Thurston rubbed the freshly shaven crown on the back of his head. He didn’t look like he was getting ready to leave—more like he was searching for an excuse to stay.
    “What?” she said. He didn’t bother her as much as he had at first, but she wasn’t exactly his biggest fan.
    “You’re not jealous that Pearl’s the star of the curse?”
    “No. Pearl’s always been the star of my life. I like her in that role.”
    “God. You two are unbelievable.”
    “Are you jealous that I actually get along with my sister?” Thurston laughed. A
yeah, right
laugh. But then he got quiet. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
    Ruby sat down on the porch steps. She’d been planning to watch TV, maybe finish the last half of a pint of ice cream Pearl had started, but she didn’t want to ditch him if he needed to talk. “Go on. Tell me. I don’t have to be your girlfriend. I can be your therapist.”
    Reluctantly, Thurston lowered himself to the porch, his long legs stretched out over the stone steps. “I don’t know how to do it. I don’t know how to be his brother. I missed him, but I was