“It’s the only way.” El touches my forearm, giving it a more than endearing squeeze. It was a sibling twist, that reverberated into my gut. “I think she’s good for the store, and you need her.”
“I thought that’s why I had you.” I wince as she continues to playfully twist my arm.
“Well, but you can’t walk. Now I have the power, and I refuse to help until you make that relationship amiable.” Dropping her arm back to her side, she now holds me in an eye lock, that hint of untrustable blue blazes at me. “Plus, she’s not that bad. Shehas the same sarcastic sense of humor you have. If you’d give her a chance, and let that guard down a little, you’d like her.”
“Like her? Now you’ve gone too far!” I snort, raising my chin as the elevator door opens, and I storm out, making a point. There’s a bit of a raised ledge where the elevator floor meets the hotel floor, and I miss it, tripping hard. As I struggle to catch my fall, I twist into an expert contortionist move. It mostly works as I don’t land on the floor. Except for the jolting pain shooting down my lower back into my tailbone, I’m fine.
“So, you agree.” El tracks me like a bloodhound down the hall. “You’ll make amends first thing tomorrow.”
“I never said that.”
“You didn’tnotsay that.”
“Right. I nevernotsaid that, but I also never said that, so please don’t manipulate my words.”
“Good. It’s settled.”
“Not settled.”
“You should bring a gift, too.” She taps her chin with her finger. “Something thoughtful.”
The elevator door opens, and I cross the hall to our room. I flash the keycard in front of the door, waiting for it to open, but the light doesn’t shine. “You need to go back to school to be a lawyer.”
“We already talked about school. Remember, I’m helping you here.”
“You’re not being helpful.” Finally, the green light flashes, and I’m in my room. It’s been a grueling day, and I pace forward until my feet hit the edge of the bed.
She gives metheglare. Her secret sauce to get me to do things she wants me to do. Since she has the same almond-shaped eyes our mother had, it infuses my soul with enough guilt to work. She whispers, “Please.”
Always a softy for her, I’m done. “Fine.” I crash face first onto the pile of unmade blankets, and while El is still rambling on about that person I can’t stand, I close my eyes. I’m so ready for this day to be over.
“Oh, Christian.” El slides in next to me, pushing the phone close. “You must talk to this one. She’s so funny.”
“I’m not talking to anyone on that dumb site.”
“Just this once, or I won’t work in your store tomorrow.”
“Is that blackmail?” I open one eye and confirm she’s serious. “Fine.” I hold out my palm, and she drops my phone in it.
Me: Heyyyyyy Profile 421! How are you? Fun fact. The more Ys people have in their greeting, the more interesting they are.
Profile 421: He
My head jerks back, and I snicker. That’s so cheesy, it’s funny.
“What do you want to reply back with?” El’s leaning over me, reading the screen.
I push her away as I roll over and sit up. “I’m not showing you.” I hover my thumbs over the screen and think. Something witty.
Me: Is there an airport nearby, or was that just my heart taking off?
Profile 421: That was an airplane. JFK. I heard it, too.
Me: So, you are on Long Island?
Profile 421: -es
I chuckle at the fact she’s continuing to leave the Y out. She’s clearly playful. I vow to make her slip up.
