“What?”
“My parents are leaving town after Nova’s birthday party. I want you to meet them.”
“That’s too fast. We just met,” she protests.
“But it feels like I’ve loved you forever.”
“You’re just throwing lines so I will kiss you, aren’t you?”
“Is it working?”
“Unk Edos!” Nova screams.
Liv grins. “It could’ve, but your time is up.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Olivia
Years of reading and listening to Persy Brassard should’ve prepared me for this moment—meeting Eros’s parents.
It didn’t.
When we arrive at Nyx’s home, I help Eros with Leah while he takes care of Nova. He enters the lock code, and we step inside the house without ringing the bell.
Nova takes her mittens off and puts them in a box that has her name. Leah copies her. It’s incredible how close these two little cousins are; they seem more like sisters. While Eros helps Nova with her jacket, I help Leah with hers. I notice there are hooks with their names.
“Do they know how to read?”
Eros shakes his head. “No, but my sisters believe that seeing their names will help them recognize them.” It’s adorable to see that both girls have their own places to put away their shoes, coats, and winter gear.
They’re so proper until a guy—I’m not sure if it’s Ford or Nate—steps closer and says, “Hey, baby.”
“Daddy!” Nova screams, running toward him. He catches her up in mid-air and twirls her around.
Okay, so it’s Nate.
Leah looks at Eros and says, “Whes Daddy?” She frowns. “And Mommy.”
“Mom and Dad should be here soon, but here’s Pappi,” a man who looks like Eros but has salt and pepper hair says. He scoops Leah and hugs her. “How’s my little Lei-Lei doing?”
“Pappi!” She hugs his neck.
Eros’s dad looks at me and smiles. “I don’t think we’ve been introduced before.” He extends his hand. “I’m Octavio Brassard.”
“Nice to meet you, sir. I’m Olivia Sierra.”
I seriously have no idea how it happens, but suddenly I’m tackled with a hug. “It’s so nice to meet you, Liv.”
“Mom, we talked about your hugs,” Eros says.
“As I said, I’m not her lawyer if anyone sues her for being so extra. I’ll ignore her calls,” Nyx claims.
“Let me look at you.” The woman, who I assume is Edna Brassard, holds my arms and scans me. “Just like I imagined. A woman with a good heart.”
“You don’t know her, Mom,” Nyx argues as she walks toward us. “Sorry, she doesn’t have restraints.”
“Mom, Dad, meet Liv,” Eros finally says. “Liv, these are Octavio and Edna Brassard, my parents. You already met my annoying sister, Nyx. The guy playing with Nova and the dog is Nate. Where are Persy and Ford?”
“They’ll be here soon,” Nyx says.
Her mom is more specific about the answer, though. “Persy is ovulating. They’re trying to have a baby.” She clasps my hands. “You should try too. Wouldn’t it be lovely to have three little ones at the same time?”
“Mom, please don’t start,” Eros complains. “I’m trying to convince her that I’m worth sticking around for. Can we at least pretend that we’re normal?”
“You should just pray that they keep their clothes on, and they don’t discuss s-e-x during dinner.” Nyx smirks.
“There’s nothing wrong with exploring our bodies or giving you tips,” Edna speaks. “If you need any suggestions—”
“This is why I never brought her before,” Eros claims. “You’re scaring her.”
I burst into laughter. I wasn’t expecting this kind of welcome. They are definitely inappropriate, as Eros always said, but so funny.
Persy and Ford arrive only a few minutes later. Though Leah was happy to be with her grandfather, her world brightened when she saw her mom and dad. These girls are so lucky. They have a family that loves them so much.
Dinner is eloquent. Everyone has something to say about their week. Unfortunately, Edna has to know everything that involves her daughters—including if Persy did it right today.
“Mom, we’re not discussing my personal life,” she warns her. “I give weekly advice to my listeners. I’m sure I know how s-e-x works.”
“All I’m saying is that after you had intercourse, you should’ve laid on your back with your legs up,” Edna instructs her, then she looks at Ford. “Are you wearing the appropriate underwear?”
I spit my food and begin to laugh.
Persy glares at me. “You laugh now, but it’ll be your turn soon, and we won’t be there to defend you.”
“Mom already offered her tips to pleasure her son,” Nate says, drinking from his beer. “Plus, she suggested that they start trying to have a kid. You know, so there are three little spawns around the same age.”
“Can we at least give her a pass for today,” Eros begs.
“If you need”—Ford wipes his mouth—“I can install cameras in your bedroom. Mom will be able to watch the action and give you pointers.”
Eros glares at him, then says, “Well, as much as we’d love to continue this torture, we’re leaving.”
“Why don’t you come this week to have dinner with us?” his mom suggests. “We’d love to see you one more time before we leave town, Liv.”
“That’d be lovely,” I answer as Eros says, “We’re going to be busy.”
“Wednesday it is,” his mom confirms.
He glances at me. “Don’t say I didn’t try to save you from them.”
We don’t leave until everyone hugs me. Nova asks if I can come to her birthday party next week.
“Of course she’ll be there,” Eros promises.
“That was…” I can’t find the words to describe what just happened in that house.
“Insane?” he asks, opening the passenger door for me.
“Your family is great,” I conclude.
“They can also be a handful,” he insists. “But I like them enough to stick around.”
As he enters the car, I say, “You adore them.”
He bobs his head in confirmation.
“I could see Dan getting along with them,” he says, turning on the engine. “While Otto is flustered because he doesn’t know how to react to all the inappropriate comments. Beatriz and Mom will get along well.”
“I can see that.” I frown. “You’ve thought about that?”
He nods. “I want us to create a new world. A place where our families come together.”
“But—”
“No.” He stops me. “Let’s not say anything hasty. Give me at least a week.”
“Can I—” He lifts his index finger and shakes his head. “What if I want to tell you that I’m ready to give us a real try? That I love you. You’re not letting me talk.”