Liv: I can but not when Dad is in the meeting. He knows when I’m a little distracted. Talk to you soon.
Eros: I’ll text you later tonight.
Chapter Nineteen
Eros: We’re going to visit Callie.
Liv: I’ve been wondering what you guys were going to do with the information you gathered from the PI.
Liv: Do you think it’ll be best if your parents go with you?
Eros: The last time my mom tried to contact Callie, my sister was horrible with her. I want to speak with her first.
Liv: Good luck. I hope you can rebuild the relationship you guys had with her.
Eros: It’ll be great if she can at least visit before Nyx has her baby.
Liv: That reminds me, have they come up with any names for the baby yet?
Eros: No. Nyx and Nate keep calling her blueberry.
Liv: I think that’s sweet. April can’t get here any sooner. You have to send me pictures of her.
Eros: I keep sending you pictures of everything I do. You never send me any.
Liv: I could send you pictures of my computer.
Eros: You said the other day that you were going to a bar.
Liv: To barre.
Eros: Ah, that makes more sense. For a moment I thought you started drinking too early. I can use a picture of you practicing.
Liv: Ha! Keep waiting for it, Mr. Brassard. :wink emoji:
Eros: A guy can always hope. Hey, can I text you back after the plane takes off?
Liv: You’re already leaving for Boston?
Eros: Yes. I’m meeting Nate in New York, and we’re flying to Boston tomorrow morning. I’ll contact you soon.
Eros: Meet Nova Juliet Brassard.
Liv: Ooh, she’s so pretty. Congratulations, Uncle Eros.
Liv: Wait, wasn’t she supposed to be born next month?
Eros: She came a few weeks sooner. What can I say? The kid is as impatient as her mother. I should be running away from her.
Liv: You complain now, but she’s going to have you wrapped around her little finger.
Eros: She already has. I love that sweet girl.
Liv: How is everyone?
Eros: Mom and baby are doing well.
Liv: I want to cuddle her.
Eros: Fly to Seattle.
Liv: I wish I could. We signed a few new deals. I might be moving to Boston once Dad comes back to work.
Eros: Why?
Liv: We haven’t found anyone to manage that branch. Instead of hiring someone, I’m going to take over while deciding what’s best for the company.
Eros: I told you to merge the Northeast branches months ago. Am I going to say I told you so again?
Liv: No. We’re doing it, but I have to figure out how to do it.
Eros: If you need help, I’m here.
Liv: Thank you. I’m not sure what I’d do without you.
Eros: Always a pleasure to help. Plus, you’re handling everything really well. You just second guess your decisions.
Liv: Still, you keep me sane.
Eros: Hate to cut this short, but we’re going to have dinner with Callie.
Liv: Callie is with you?
Eros: Yep. Nate convinced her to visit Nyx. So far, she has been friendly with us. I have hope that things are turning around for all the Brassards.
Liv: I’m happy for you.
Eros: TTYL
Eros: How’s the new place? How is Boston?
Liv: The weather is nicer than in San Francisco during the summer. As I’ve told you, it gets colder during these months than during winter. Overall, the city is cute. I always wanted to live in a brownstone. Most women in rom-coms live in a brownstone. I might finally meet my soulmate.
Eros: Name at least one movie.
Liv: You’ve Got Mail.
Eros: Oh, those types of buildings. So, you live in a glorified, costly apartment.
Liv: It’s not a glorified apartment. It’s a beautiful place. I have a view of Charles River. The best part is the private roof deck. You’d love the place. I take it that you watch rom-coms.
Eros: Of course, I do. As you know, I have sisters.
Eros: Three.
Liv: I wish I had at least one. Remember, I was excited about living close to Holly?
Eros: Yes.
Liv: She’s planning on moving. They’re still researching the best places for small families.
Eros: I’m sorry.
Liv: It happens. This relocation isn’t permanent. Once we merge all the branches, I’m taking time off.
Eros: You keep saying that. You’ll be a hundred by the time you finally buy a plane ticket to Hawaii.
Liv: Shut up. How’s Persy feeling? I’m thrilled that you’re going to be an uncle again.
Eros: She’s doing well. She and Ford are excited. They just found out their spawn is going to be a girl. Mom is thrilled. It’ll be like having Nyx and Persy 2.0. God, help me with these women.
Liv: That’s adorable. Send me more pictures of Nova.
Eros: Nate and Nyx are in Seattle. I’ll send you more when I go to visit them.
Liv: Hey, I’ll text you later. Holly is here. We have a girls’ night out!
Eros: Stay safe.
Liv: You should go out and party.
Eros: I’m heading to Costa Rica next week. There’s a lot to do in the office this weekend.
Liv: Send me pictures of the farm. I’m so happy that things are working out for you.
Eros: You helped me a lot. I’ll text tomorrow if I can.
Eros: Meet Leah Brooke Chadwick!
Liv: She’s so cute—and looks a lot like Nova when she was a baby.
Eros: I didn’t notice. You’re right.
Liv: Congratulations, Uncle Eros.
Eros: It’s Eos. According to Nova, the r is silent.
Liv: You’re adorable as an uncle. Maybe it’s time to get the wife and the kids. You’ll be a great dad.
Eros: The business hasn’t taken off yet.
Liv: It’s doing great.
Eros: This is phase one. I need to make sure everything is working according to my plans before thinking about having a life.
Liv: Sounds like a new excuse to put your future on hold.
Eros: How about you?
Liv: I’m still in my twenties. That gives me a pass, doesn’t it?
Eros: Not by much, but let’s go with that.
Liv: I’m super happy about Leah. Though I wish to stick around, I have to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be long.
Eros: I forget you swear that Tuesdays are worse than Mondays.
Liv: They are.
Eros: Have a good night’s sleep.
Liv: Same. x
Chapter Twenty
Olivia
I knew this was too good to be true. Dad always calls or texts before I go to bed with a laundry list of things he wants to be done before he wakes up. Tonight, he hasn’t done it yet, until now. I should move back to San Francisco—or quit.
When I reach for the phone, I frown. It’s Eros. He’s supposed to be in Costa Rica.
Eros: Are you in town?
Liv: Are we talking about Boston or Colorado?
Eros: Boston.
Liv: Yes, why?
Eros: Can I see you?
I stare at my phone, check the time, and scroll up to read his last texts. He wasn’t coming back from his trip until the end of April. Instead of answering, I call him.
“Hey,” he answers.