Haley spread the internship papers across the dining table like she was unveiling a business empire.
Alex imdiately grabbed one before she could wrinkle it with iced coffee.
"L.A. fashion branding agency," Alex read aloud. "Social dia coordination, influencer partnerships, visual campaigns…"
Her eyes lifted slowly toward Haley.
"This is… legitimate."
Haley looked absurdly pleased by that reaction.
"Thank you."
"That wasn't praise yet."
"It still counted."
Gael leaned back in the chair watching the sisters carefully.
Because this interaction already felt different from their usual dynamic.
Normally:
Alex analyzed,
Haley defended.
But now Haley actually had sothing concrete.
Sothing she genuinely cared about.
And Alex respected competence too much not to respond to it.
"When's the deadline?" Gael asked.
"Next Friday."
Alex flipped through another page.
"They want portfolio examples."
Haley paused.
"…Right."
The uncertainty again.
Because enthusiasm ca easily to Haley.
Structure didn't.
Alex noticed imdiately.
"You do have material though."
Haley blinked once.
"What?"
"You basically run your Instagram like a brand account already." Alex looked back down at the papers. "Outfit coordination, engagent patterns, visual consistency…"
Haley stared at her sister.
"That's weirdly complintary."
"Don't let it get to your head."
Interesting.
Because Alex almost never validated Haley in areas she personally didn't value.
But this?
This was strategy.
Presentation.
Audience psychology.
Different skillset.
Still intelligence.
Haley sat down more slowly afterward.
"You really think I could do this?"
Alex glanced up again.
"Yes."
Simple answer.
No teasing attached.
And sohow that made it hit harder.
The room went quieter for a second afterward.
Then Haley looked suspiciously emotional and imdiately ruined the mont.
"We're growing."
Alex physically recoiled.
"Never say that sentence again."
Too late.
Haley launched herself sideways into a hug before Alex could escape.
Alex protested imdiately.
"You're crushing the paperwork."
"You love ."
"That's unverifiable."
Gael laughed quietly while Haley grinned against her sister's shoulder.
This was probably the healthiest their dynamic had felt in weeks.
Not competing.
Not comparing.
Just…
different people with different strengths finally seeing each other clearly for once.
Then Claire walked through the gate carrying grocery bags.
She slowed the second she saw Haley hugging Alex.
"…Did sobody die?"
"Emotional breakthrough," Alex muttered from inside the hostage situation.
Claire looked genuinely alard.
"That sounds worse."
Haley finally released Alex and grabbed the internship packet instead.
"Mom, look."
Claire set the grocery bags down while Haley explained the agency and internship requirents rapidly.
As she talked, Claire's expression shifted gradually from confusion to surprise.
Then:
"That's actually a really good opportunity."
Haley stopped mid-sentence.
Again with that reaction.
Because approval from Claire still mattered embarrassingly much.
"You think so?"
Claire nodded once while flipping through the pages.
"You already understand visual presentation naturally." She looked toward the campaign examples. "And honestly, you're good with people in ways most companies can't teach."
The sincerity in the complint softened Haley instantly.
Claire sounded more careful giving praise lately.
Like she'd realized at so point that Haley heard criticism louder than encouragent.
Then Phil burst through the gate carrying plant fertilizer.
"Whatchu doing goodlookings?"
"There is no privacy left in this house," Alex replied.
Phil ignored her completely and grabbed one of the internship papers.
A second later, his expression brightened dramatically.
"Oh! Fashion marketing. Honey, you would be perfect for it!"
"That sounded aggressively supportive," Haley said.
"I always support you no matter what."
Claire looked tired imdiately.
"That phrase shouldn't exist."
But Haley was smiling too much now to care.
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