Page 21 of Misfortune and Mr. Right

Megan’s still laughing.

“Tell me you don’t really find this funny,” I implore her.

“I don’t.” More laughter. “Really, I don’t. I’m sorry …” She clears her throat. “It’s just … what are the odds?”

“Right?” I shake my head. “He’s already at my job, and now this.”

“Crazy!” the parrot next door squawks. “Crazy times!”

“Is that the parrot?” Megan asks.

“Yeah. He’s odd.”

“Or she.”

“Right, or she.”

“Logan is living in Gran’s place.” Megan’s voice is somber. “I can’t believe it.”

“I know. What is my life?”

“I’m sorry, Liv. And I’m sorry I laughed. I think it was the shock of it all.”

“It’s okay. Trust me. I nearly burst into tears downstairs a few minutes ago when it all fully hit me.”

“Awww, I’m sorry. Don’t let him get to you. Maybe you’ll barely see him. Think about it. You’ve lived there the better part of a week, and you’re just now seeing him. You probably won’t see him that much. Right?”

“Yeah. Right.”One can only hope. “Anyway, I’d better go shower. Lynette’s coming over this afternoon to hang out. She wanted to take a polar plunge in the pool.”

“Don’t polar plunges happen in January?”

“I told her that. Also, there’s the minor detail that the pool won’t have water until after Memorial Day. She said she’s on a health kick. Her revised plan has something to do with needing a certain number of hours outdoors to get her vitamin D levels up. All I know is that she’s planning on wearing a swimsuit even though the pool is dry.”

“Well, enjoy your time with your sister. And don’t worry about Logan.”

“Who?” I tease.

“Right. No one. Don’t worry about no one. Or … anyone. Just don’t worry. M’kay?”

“I won’t. It’s erased. Deleted. I have an anonymous neighbor who shall not be named.”

“Good. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Do you still want to meet Tuesday for lunch?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Great. See you then.”

I hang up with Megan and shower in my sad trickle of a shower, forcing my mind not to wonder about what the water pressure in any other apartment on this floor is like. I’ll just talk to the building manager—Steve, I think?—about my water this week. I change into a comfortable outfit and grab my Kindle so I can read on a lounge chair until Lynette gets here.

The courtyard of The Serendipity is at the center of the back of the building. Stone archways surround a rectangular pool and the fountain. Loungers and chairs are out during the warmer months. Even though the pool doesn’t officially open until June, tenants are allowed to use this space to relax or gather with friends whenever they like.

Lynette calls me from her cell when she arrives. I let her in the front door, and we walk through to the courtyard.

She’s quiet, which is unusual for my sister.

“What’s wrong?” I ask her once we’re seated on two adjacent lounge chairs.

“Why do you think something’s wrong?”

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