“Um, okay.”
“I mean it. If I come back here and they aren’t taken care of, I’m going to lose my mind. Plants are therapeutic and can help your soul. Let them.” She touched two of the other plants, the audiobook still carrying on, and headed through her patio door without another word, leaving me on the patio surrounded by leaves.
I tended to be quick on my feet and could banter with the best of them—growing up with Gilly had taught me that—but with Nora, she left me speechless all the time. I rubbed my palms over my eyes and sighed before taking the damn schedule and heading back into my place. Keeping the plants alive wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, and it didn’t mean she was right at all. I just…liked nature.
Despite the factI wanted to head to Gilly and Christopher’s place to escape my proximity to my neighbor, Gilly showed up early for our FaceTalk call with our parents. We both knew why: Nora. Gilly had texted about her no less than a million times since the hair incident, and my goddamn sister thought it was hilarious.
More than hilarious if there was a word for it. She waltzed into the foyer and into my place, but left the door open and wiggled her brows. “How is our dear friend doing, andwhydoes your patio look like a zoo?”
“Nora thought I needed plants to help settle my negative energy.” I shoved my hands in my pockets and eyed the plants. It had been two days since she broke in with plants. “There’s a watering schedule.”
“This shit is wild, Fritz.” She walked over to the plants and touched the leaves like I had. “They look good here. It fits your vibe.”
“You calling me a crazy plant person?”
“Nah, just saying the green livens up your place. I get why you moved—you needed a clean slate from Samantha—but this place doesn’t feel like you yet. This works, somehow.” She ran a hand over her jaw and nodded a few times. “Work any better this week?”
My shoulders tightened. It felt dumb to complain when there was no reason to be uptight. I didn’t like what I did, but I made good money and had a job. “It’s fine.”
“Bullshit,” she said, relaxing onto the couch and pulling up her phone. “I know you’re lying, but let’s get this call over with, and we can dive into that fine bottle of whiskey I spy on your counter. Where’d you score that?”
“A gift from a happy client.” I sighed and joined her on the sofa as she started the FaceTalk call. It rang three times before our mom answered.
“Oh, my babies. How are you?”
“Hey, Mom,” Gilly said, adjusting the phone to the side so we could see more of our mom. She sat on a small patio, and traffic moved behind her. “Where are you?”
“A café. Your father is dealing with a thing with the Ports. You remember them, yes? They are very influential, and your father wanted to partner up with them on a new venture that helps children with disabilities. Roland and your father…well, they ran into a legal thing. It’ll be sorted though. Don’t worry. How are you doing, Gilly, with the wedding? How is Leanora adjusting?”
Gilly slid me an amused look. “Wedding stuff is fine. Fritz, fill us in on Leanora,please.”
“Are you helping her? I assured her parents you’d keep an eye out so she wouldn’t totally fail being on her own. She has a kind heart but is a little misguided. Eccentric, to be honest, but her parents insisted we could help. Now, are you seeing her every day?”
“Oh, he sure is,” Gilly said, not bothering to hide her smile. “She’s been over here all the time asking for favors.”
Our mom relaxed and took a sip from a small coffee cup. “Good. That’s good. Her parents are afraid they’ve spoiled her too much. I can’t say I blame them. Your father and I tried to make sure you weren’t helpless.” She looked quite proud of herself, and I bit my lip to prevent myself from spouting off that yes, she was right about that, but they’d failed in other ways.
Parents were complicated.
“Oh, before I forget, I got an email from Leanora wanting to set up a time to meet with you. I assumed you’ve met with her already, so I’m confused why she’s emailing me, but I thought I’d pass it along. She didn’t say what it was about…” She trailed off and looked off camera, muttering a curse. “I need to go. Love you!”
She hung up, leaving Gilly and I both with mouths agape.
“Ah, another loving call with dear Mother,” she said, rubbing her hands on her dress. “That was…fun.”
“Sorry, Gil.” I winced, hating how little our parents were involved in her wedding plans. “I know you wanted to update her on the appointments.”
“It’s fine. Christopher’s mom, sister, and Larissa and Grace are more than enough women to be in a dressing room with me. We’ll FaceTalk her, and if she can make it, she will.”
“We need that whiskey.” I pushed myself up and poured us two glasses before heading to the living room that now had plants everywhere. It did fit the room, but I’d rather shave off my eyebrows than tell Nora that.
Gilly took the glass and took a drink before sighing and giving methatlook.
“What?”
“I had this idea. It’s crazy but hear me out.”
“Oh God.” I wiped a hand over my face, like that would prepare me for whatever came out of her mouth. “What?”
