Eros: Her agent got her a nice place. I have to help her move this weekend. In the meantime, she gets to live with the ’rents.
Liv: Why didn’t you offer her a room?
Eros: I’m a slob. Her words, not mine.
Liv: So, I dodged the roomie bullet, huh?
Eros: I’m not a slob. They haven’t lived with me for years. During our family trips, I leave my stuff all over the place. It’s a great way to bother them without even trying.
Liv: I have the feeling that you’re different with your family than you are with the outside world. You behave like a big child when you’re with them.
Eros: It’s fun. So, about Costa Rica…
Liv: I already told you, I can’t go.
Eros: You can’t blame a guy for trying. It’s been a couple of months since the last time I saw you.
Liv: Why don’t you come out to San Fran?
Eros: As soon as this business takes off, you’ll be the first person I’ll visit.
Liv: Who’ll be the second one?
Eros: Probably you.
Liv: I might think that you miss me.
Eros: Am I not allowed to miss you?
Liv: It’d be best to keep this platonic. Two friends who help each other with work and text fun stuff.
Eros: So, I can’t ask what you’re wearing.
Liv: Just like I won’t answer with something like, I’m not wearing any panties.
Eros: That means you’re in pajamas. Are you wearing one of the T-shirts you stole from me?
Liv: I didn’t steal them. You left them behind.
Eros: You promised to wash them, and I never saw them again.
Liv: Hey, I need to send a few emails to Dad before leaving the office. Can I text you when I get home?
Eros: Liv, it’s ten. YOU SHOULD BE HOME.
Liv: It’s nine in San Fran, but yes. I’ll leave after I’m done.
Eros: Text me before you leave the building. Take care of yourself. x
Liv: Your sister is kidding, isn’t she?
Eros: What sister and about what?
Liv: Persy… your parents were having sex in the kitchen?
Eros: Yep. You should’ve heard her yelling like she just saw the biggest spider in the world.
Liv: And what about what your dad said about the juicy…?
Eros: All true.
Liv: They are putting the Sixtysutra book to good use.
Eros: I don’t think my sisters appreciate the present I gave them for Christmas.
Liv: Your sister is right. Who wouldn’t want to be sixty and still be passionately in love?
Eros: If we’re single by the time we’re sixty, we can be each other’s sex buddies.
Liv: Why am I single at sixty?
Liv: Are you calling me damaged goods?
Liv: Do you think I’m unlovable?
Eros: Sheesh… I didn’t mean it that way.
Liv: How did you mean it?
Eros: I was trying to be nice.
Liv: Because you think I’m going to end up single. A spinster. I won’t even have nieces and nephews to pity me.
Eros: I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.
Liv: You at least have your sisters who might give you a niece or two. I’ll have to start collecting cats, and when I die, I’ll have them buried with me like the Egyptians used to do with their pets.
Eros: You’re laughing at me, aren’t you?
Liv: You’re so easy.
Eros: Just for that, I’ll get someone else to be my fuck buddy when I’m an old man.
Liv: Nah, you’ll find that wife and procreate a gazillion gods with her.
Eros: I think two children are plenty.
Liv: Why not three? Two boys and a girl.
Eros: Poor kids. That little girl is going to boss them around.
Liv: Speaking about sisters, where are you?
Eros: At home, and you?
Liv: On a Saturday?
Eros: I had a text date with you. Why are you asking?
Liv: I just saw that your sisters are at a bar, partying. I thought you were with them.
Eros: Nope. Persy was organizing some kind of newly single party for Callie. I thought that was going to be at Nyx’s house.
Liv: I haven’t partied much since I moved out of Seattle.
Eros: Did you party when you were in Seattle?
Liv: Some. I used to work for a non-profit. The owner’s son is a former bandmate of the band Sinners of Seattle. They usually invited us to a bar when they played.
Eros: Look at you hanging with famous people.
Liv: I doubt they knew who I was. Once I came to work for Dad, I stopped going out often.
Eros: You said there’s a branch here in Colorado. Why don’t you run the company from here and I’ll teach you how to party.
Liv: Rafting in the morning and vegging at night?
Eros: You know it. I’ll even let you make pizza for us.
Eros: Ugh, I need to go.
Liv: Are you okay?
Eros: My sisters need me to pick them up. They’re wasted. I’ll text you once they’re safe.
Liv: K. Drive safe. x
Chapter Eighteen
From: E. Brassard
To: O. Sierra
Subject: New direction
Hi,
I’m sending you the revised business plan. I made a few modifications to comply with the investors. I’m returning Persy’s money this week. After I get the funds, and if all goes well, this company should be profitable within two years. That’s scenario B. Let me know if you want to make any changes.
I hope your trip to Boston was prolific and that you’ll come to Colorado soon.
It’s going to be weird to work with someone Persy is dating, but beggars can’t be choosers.
E.
Liv: I’m confused by your last email. Do you need money?
Eros: No. I said I’m paying back Persy’s loan. I found a silent partner who’ll invest in the company. Nyx helped me negotiate the contract (so I won’t lose my house).
Liv: Still confused. What does Persy’s boyfriend have to do with the project? More importantly, where did she find her boyfriend? I’ve been following her blog and social media for weeks. Other than the few losers she went out with, I haven’t seen anyone worth the trouble.
Eros: Sometimes I learn more about my sister’s life from you than from her.
Liv: What can I say? I’m fascinated by your family. You guys are… peculiar. So, about the boyfriend?
Eros: He and his brother have an investment company. I’m partnering with them.
Liv: So, the trip to Costa Rica is still a go, or do you have to postpone it again?
Eros: I’m postponing it until September. Nate wants to go with me.
Liv: And Nate is?
Eros: One of my silent partners.
Liv: Phew. For a moment, I thought that the past four months of work were going into the trash.
Eros: Do you want to join me?
Liv: Even though I’d love to, I can’t. Dad’s staying away from the company until May of next year.
Eros: He’s never coming back, and you’re the next president of the company.
Liv: Nope. I already told him that once he’s back, I’m taking some time off.
Eros: What are you planning on doing?
Liv: Who knows? I might move to Boston with Holly.
Eros: Why Boston and not Colorado?
Liv: It’s just a joke. I need a plan before I take off.