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"No. I meant Seattle."

I frown.

"Remember every family trip? He complained about the traffic before we even crossed the city limits, said the rain was a conspiracy, and insisted nobody should have to queue twenty minutes for a coffee."

I can't help smiling. "He called it the nation's capital of overpriced umbrellas. I do remember.”

Maggie draws a breath before meeting my eyes.

"And the last line, 'If I'm gone, I chose the water before the fire chose me.' Fire was Tom. I already knew what would happen if I stayed because I'd lived it for years. Water was the life I couldn't predict. I didn't know where I'd end up or how I'd survive, but I'd rather take that chance than spend the rest of my life waiting for him to burn everything I had left."

I look at my sister sitting across from me and feel grateful in a way that's almost painful. “Well, I’m glad it led me to you.”

The conversation drifts for a while after that.

Neither of us seems bothered by the gaps between subjects anymore.

Maggie eventually turns toward me with an expression I recognize immediately.

It's the same look she used to get before asking questions guaranteed to ruin my day.

I narrow my eyes. "What?"

She tilts her head. "What what?"

"Don't do that."

A grin tugs at her mouth. "Do what?"

She already knows she's winning. I can see it in the smug little smile she's trying, and failing, to hide.

"Whatever this is."

"The defensive reaction before I've said anything is fascinating."

I groan.

Maggie brightens instantly. "Oh, this is good."

"It's never good."

"Tell me about the bikers?"

Heat floods my face.

Maggie's grin gets wider the instant she sees my face. "Oh, wow."

I already know that tone. "No."

"You've gone red."

"I haven't."

"You absolutely have." She points at me like she's presenting evidence in court. "And I haven't even said anything yet."

I sink back against the couch cushion.

That only encourages her. "They're all ridiculously attractive, by the way."