Delia stood at the apartment window, clutching a hot cup of coffee. It had been exactly a week since she had slept with Jake, and four days since Stella had returned—four days spent trying to find the courage to tell her sister what she had done.

Jake had tried to contact her immediately afterward, but she had managed to duck and dive him until Stella returned. She was becoming a pro.

She stepped back from the window when she spotted him returning from his morning jog. Despite the colder weather, he was still going out for his daily jog. And despite the awful situation she found herself in, she was still ogling him from the window.

Ogling? She scoffed. She was longing for him. Desperate to feel his arms around her, his mouth on her skin.

"Delia?"

Delia hiccuped and spilled coffee over her top.

"Fuck! Ow, ow, that is hot!"

Stella grimaced. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you." She took the cup from her sister as Delia hastily removed her top.

"Not your fault. I was miles away."

"Yes, I noticed. I have been calling you for a while."

"You did?"

"What's going on with you, D? You've been in your own world for days, more than usual."

Delia shrugged guiltily as she walked into the bathroom. She dropped the top into the sink and filled it with water. She sighed as she took the dry top Stella had gotten for her. "Nothing. Just been brooding over my novel, having some- uh- character problems."

"Are you sure it's nothing else?" Stella asked carefully.

"No, of course not." Delia avoided her sister's frown.

"I'll make some fresh coffee," Stella offered, then left Delia alone in the bathroom.

Delia let out a relieved sigh. She would have to tell Stella. She had half hoped Jake would tell her, but if he had, Stella had shown no sign. She frowned. And Stella had been over to his apartment and the studio almost every day.

*

Delia sat down on the kitchen counter chair next to Stella.

"Are you going to Jake's Studio opening tonight?" Stella asked, pushing a cup toward her sister.

"What?"

"It's Jake's Studio opening tonight, remember?"

"Oh." Delia sipped her coffee.

"The studio is beautiful, D. He has really worked hard. Even Sarah has complimented him."

"Sarah? Oh, yes, Mrs. Cartridge."

Delia closed her eyes. I have to tell her.

"I slept with him, Stella."

Stella choked on her coffee. "What? Like in the same bed?"

"No, I mean, yes. We had sex, Stella. I am so sorry. I had tried so hard—" Delia turned to her sister, biting her lip.

"Finally!" Stella exclaimed, jumping up from her chair. "I thought maybe we had been wrong and that you didn't like Jake."

"Wait, what?"

"I am so happy!" Stella clapped her hands and hugged her sister.

"I-I don't understand. Are you and Jake," Delia frowned, "not together?"

Stella laughed. "Oh no! We are just friends."

Delia blinked.

"Friends?"

"Yes, I thought you knew."

"No, I thought—but you said—I am so confused."

"D, Jake, and I knew on our first date that we could never be more than friends. Besides, he likes you, has since the start."

"He does?"

"Yes, that must be obvious since you two, well," Stella raised her eyebrows.

"I felt so guilty, Stella. I had betrayed you and—"

"Oh, love, I am so sorry. I should have said something sooner, but Jake wanted to give you time. You are not exactly the most receptive when it comes to relationships."

Delia pulled a face. "Why didn't he say something?"

"He did, at least he tried, but you keep brushing him off and pushing him onto me. He thought you didn't like him, at least not the way he liked you. But now I understand why he's been so moody!"

"He has been moody?"

"More than usual!"

"Oh, Stella! He must think me such a fool! I have ignored him because I thought—"

"Listen, I think we should go shopping! We need some new dresses for tonight!"

"I don't think I should go. Besides," Delia hesitated, "I-I wasn't invited."

"D! Seriously? Come on."

"I have been such an idiot. Stella! Why didn't you tell me?"

Stella sighed. "D, you have always put yourself last in everything because of me—work, love, and life. And, not to be funny, but every time I bring up anything about you getting a boyfriend or just anyone, you go off like a firecracker. What was it you used to say? You live through me vicariously?"

Delia pulled a face.

"I am a big girl, D. I know that after Mom and Dad died, you have had this obscure sense of obligation to be my parent. But I don't need a parent. I need my sister. And I want my sister to be happy."

Stella hugged her sister again, tightly.

"I love you, D."

"I love you, too, Stella."

"Now, let's go shopping. You have to go to the opening, D. You will see why. Trust me. Let me play the matchmaker."

*