Page 7 of The Twins

I shake my head, “You’re fine.” I shift on my feet, more aware of my height and size than ever standing next to her short slender frame. “Why are you here?” Fuck, I tried to ask that nicely, but I definitely fell short.

“Dammit, Tev.” I raise my arm on instinct, deflecting the stapler Seril throws at me. “Don’t scare her away before she’s signed the contract!”

“What contract?” I look between the two of them, reaching out for Arlo to keep my hands busy.

“Our offer of employment for Vandy Gibbs. Under Bailey’s supervision, Vandy is going to head up our new outreach program, assisting families and caregivers modify their homes, vehicles, and lives to accommodate children with chronic illnesses. Basically, what she does now, but on a grander scale and with monetary compensation.”

I grind my teeth instead of squeezing Arlo. I’m gonna kick Yakov’s ass. Seril is altruistic and philanthropic and all, but she ain’t stupid. She would never offer employment to someone, let alone invite them into our family’s sanctuary without a thorough background check.

My watch beeps reminding me of Arlo’s appointment. One last look at Vandy, I sigh in resignation. “Arlo has a doctor’s appointment. We were on our way to the kitchen for a snack before we head out. I’ll leave you to it.”

Seril claps excitedly and my stomach drops. She’s scheming. A calculated gleam in her eyes, she innocently suggests, “Tev, why don’t you take Vandy with you. If you’re free that is. Sign here, and Tev and Arlo can be your first official clients. It’s perfect!” I’m sure it is, you meddling mensch. “Vandy can consult with Arlo’s doctor, assess his setup here, and help you help Arlo.”

“You’re about as subtle as an infomercial actress.”

Seril’s face lights up as she throws up jazz hands, “But wait! There’s more!” Vandy and I stare at Seril waiting for her. Her shoulders deflate a second later. “There isn’t. More, I mean. Just need a signature.” She pushes a small stack of papers across the desk. Vandy glances at them, then me, then with a sigh, turns back to Seril.

“I knowwhatyou are…” Vandy begins. My entire body locks up in anticipation. “And I don’t really care, so long as you are honest. Tell me this isn’t a front for illegal dealings. Tell me I’m allowed to leave as per the contract terms with my life intact. Tell me this isn’t a mistake.”

Seril’s posture loosens, a kind and patient smile blooming across her face. “You might know what we are, but you do not knowwhowe are. But you will, Vandy, in time. And I can guarantee that no matter what happens,” Seril’s eyes dart to me, her smile growing, “you will never regret becoming a part of the Mishpocheh Consortium.”

Vandy releases a heavy sigh, picks up the fancy pen on the desk and signs her name. “You mean the Pussy Portfolio?” I rear back; unsure I heard her right. Seril tosses her head back and laughs.

“I love it! I’m adding it to the list!” She comes around her desk, and when Vandy stretches out a hand to shake, Seril ignores it and draws her into a hug. “Told you I’m a hugger. Welcome, Vandy.” She meets my eyes over Vandy’s shoulder. “We’re so happy to have you with us.”

Meddling mensch.

Vandy 6.

“Where did you come up with the name Arlo?” I ask an open-ended question, hoping to elicit more than a grunt or one word response from the giant sitting next to me. We’ve just left Arlo’s appointment, and I’d say it went well. Though, it was clear Tevye is still unsure about so much of Arlo’s condition and requirements. Don’t get me wrong, he’s done his research, but based on the doctor’s response to Tevye’s presence, I’m gonna hazard a guess that Tevye hasn’t been very involved in Arlo’s life. Despite being his sole parent, Tev has allowed his parents and sister to handle so much of Arlo’s needs. He’s trying and I am in no position to judge him; I barely know him or what he’s been through.

All I know is that Arlo is the sweetest little boy and with a few tweaks here and there, he should live a long and fulfilling life. And a large part of me really wants to be there to see it.

I receive holiday cards and updates from previous clients, and I love seeing little glimpses of their lives now that they have found their footing. But Arlo…and Tevye, dammit if I don’t want more than just a glimpse. I want a front row seat for the whole epic movie.

The growly grunting giant is growing on me. And I’m not sure how I feel about it.

“Didn’t,” he says, shifting in the driver’s seat of the SUV. “She’d already named him.”

“Did…” I can’t believe I’m about to ask this, but I want to know more. “Did you love her?” I don’t expect him to laugh so hard tears form under his ridiculously long eyelashes. My face heats in embarrassment at his reaction…and maybe a little anger. “Ok, so that’s a no.” I mutter, turning in my seat to face out the passenger window.

“That’s a fuck no. Never loved anybody, woman.”

Well, now that’s interesting. “You love your sister and your parents, right? Seril’s husband?”

He shrugs; his eyes laser-focused on the road. “One doesn’t ‘love’ Tovah…you resign yourself to a lifetime of forced proximity with the devil’s representative on earth.”

“She can’t be that bad.” He laughs again, not quite as hard.

“Right. Give it time.” He chews on the inside of his cheek. Reluctantly, he shares, “I don’t want any of them to hurt. Or die.”

“Sounds like love to me,” I joke, chuckling at the frown he aims briefly my way.

“How about you? You ever love anyone? Some pissant in high school who rocked your world with 3 inches for 3 seconds in the backseat of his mom’s car?”

I clear my throat awkwardly, my hands suddenly quite fascinating in my lap. “I wasn’tinlove, but I really liked him…for a while. And I think it was more than 3 inches.”

“If you aren’t sure…it probably wasn’t.” He smirks. “Did you at least cum?”

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