Page 45 of Lotus

Did I?

My own laughter emerges, and I look away, ducking my chin to my chest. I stroke Alexis’ soft head, right between her ears, distracting myself. “You and my brother say it all the time.”

“We do,” she acknowledges, oblivious to my unexpected revelation. “It just sounds different coming from you. You’re so… articulate.”

I shrug at her assessment. “Boring, you mean.”

“No.” Sydney is shaking her head, her hand reaching out to squeeze my forearm like she’s trying to emphasize something. “You’re theleastboring person I know.”

“Lies are unbecoming of you, Syd,” I tease, still unable to meet her gaze.

Her warm palm is wrapped around my arm, transmitting little tremors to my heart. I think I hear her gasp.

“You called me ‘Syd’.”

I finally find the courage to glance up, discovering a wondrous look on her face. “Is that all right?”

She nods, emphatically. “It’s definitely all right.”

“All right.”

We share another smile, and it holds for far too long, causing a strange mix of confusion and thrill to sweep through me.

What is happening?

Deciding it would be in my best interest to change the subject, I avert my attention to anywhere but the intoxicating draw of her crystalline stare. “My stepfather came by to visit me. Travis. Do you remember him?”

Sydney shifts beside me, pulling her legs up until her toes tickle my pant leg. “Of course. We didn’t see him much—he was literally always working. I felt so bad for your mom sometimes.”

“Was she lonely?”

Sydney cocks her head to one side, debating her answer. “Your mom was very independent. I always looked up to her… maybe she influenced me, in a way. We shared a lot in common.”

A sadness overtakes me when I think about the mother I never grew to know. “I wish I could recall more about her.”

“Yeah…” She graces me with a wistful sigh. “But Travis was cool. When he was home, he’d take us out in the yard to playCapture the Flag.”

My head nods with agreement. “He was likeable. He said he’s been traveling for work, managing restaurants all across the country,” I explain. “It’s an admirable achievement.”

“Admirable is a word for it. I prefer the lowkey lifestyle.”

“Like my brother.”

“Yep. We’re basically…”

“… the same person,” I finish, echoing her words.

Sydney flicks a finger in my face, clicking her tongue at me. “Nailed it.”

An odd prickle of aversion sweeps through me, but I push it aside. “So… Travis told me I should start searching for a job. I have little qualification, but perhaps something entry-level for now.” There’s a feeling of insecurity that courses through me, knowing that I’m thirty-years-old and likely unable to secure any sort of notable occupation. I realize it’s not my fault, but that stirring of lowliness sinks its teeth into me. I don’t want Sydney to be unimpressed.

Her opinion matters.

She shows no signs of pity as she swats at my thigh in a playful manner. “That’s great, Oliver. Want to stop by tomorrow and we can look at job listings? I’ll help you with your resume,” Sydney offers. “Then we can pig out on those brownies and watchThe Princess Bride.”

As Alexis purrs softly in my lap, her eyes closed, I look over at Sydney with an agreeable smile. I can’t think of a better way to spend my day. “As you wish.”

T W E L V E

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