I smile, thinking about the way they turn red around me.
“Just wait until you see them. You’ll understand,” I tell her. “Anyway, at first, he comes across as kind of distant. Cold. Indifferent. But if you can get him to let his guard down, he’s so gentle, and I’ve caught glimpses of how vibrant he can be under the right circumstances. But he’s got this douchebag boyfriend,and I still don’t totally understand what’s going on between them, but the guy’s a dick. Anyway, Zeke, that’s his name, our employee, not the boyfriend,” I clarify, fucking this all up, “has always dreamed of going to New York, and he’s hellbent on making it there, but he’s made it clear he doesn’t want handouts or help at all, really.”
She snorts. “I bet he’d take a handout once he realizes how much you’re worth.”
“Really, El?” I snap. Although a realist, Eloise is rarely pessimistic. It’s usually Lukas who plays that role.
“Sorry,” she mutters.
“That’s exactly why I haven’t told him who I am. I bought his lunch on Christmas, and I thought he was going to throw a fit. He only accepts the coffee I bring him every day because it’s fucking free. It sounds like he’s never had anyone in his life who gave a shit about him, andthat’swhy I want to go to the play tonight.”
“Could we back up to the part where you guys had lunch on Christmas, and youbring him coffee every day? Also, why am I just now hearing about him?”
Pulling into my driveway, it’s my turn to shrug.
“Zeke’s kind of hard to explain unless you meet him.” She eyes me curiously for a long beat, and I shift in my seat, uncomfortable under her scrutiny. “What?”
“You just seem…invested,” she says, carefully choosing her last word.
“Yeah, I guess I am,” I admit, not really seeing her point since investing in people is literally my superpower.
Dropping the discussion for now, Eloise’s eyes are drawn toward my rental house.
“Nice place,” she says as I pull into the garage.
“It really is. Come on. I’ll give you the tour.”
“God, you look stunning!”I tell my sister as she enters the living room, where I’m responding to emails and looking over my schedule for Monday. She twirls immediately, making her black pantsuit shimmer as she does so.
“You’re sure it’s not too much?” she asks, running a hand across the fabric, making me stifle a laugh over the fact that she just casually had this masterpiece in her bag.
Of course she did.
Kissing her cheek, I tell her, “Doesn’t really matter. Even if itwastoo much, it’s the right choice.”
Eloise smiles at me. “You always say the right thing.”
I shrug. “It’s easy when it’s the truth.”
We snap a selfie and send it to the family group chat, and the responses come immediately.
Lukas
Where’s my invite?
Me
Show starts at 7. Come on.
Lukas
I wish. You guys look great.
Mom
My babies! You all look stunning! Where are you off to?
Me
