Page 51 of Here and Now
“Thank you again, Penny. I can’t tell you how much I need this,” Eloise says, sincerity ringing in every word. “I’ll come get him or I’ll have Miles bring him home if that’s okay?”
I guess she just assumes I have no plans for tomorrow.
“Sure, El, I’d be happy to interrupt my day to do you another favor.” I let the sarcasm flow.
“Good, I knew you would.”
Penelope fails at trying to hide her smile. “Perfect. Just text me and let me know.”
Both boys give me a hug, and then Ethan squeezes his mother. Eloise takes his face in her hands and gives him a reminder of what she expects as a report back on his behavior. She reminds me somuch of Gran when she does that. She was the queen of threats before we got in trouble.
Which Eloise always did, and then Gran was great at follow-through.
“Bye, everyone,” Penny says as she takes the boys.
“Bye.”
When she’s about halfway to her car, my sister laughs and slaps my chest. “You like her.”
“What?”
“Oh, don’t play dumb. You really like her.”
“I think she’s beautiful, kind, and that’s about it,” I say, moving to grab my bag.
“Give me a break, Miles. I know you, and I also think we still have that weird twin thing, because I could feel how uncomfortable you were just then. You like her and you’re not sure how to proceed with her.”
“I have a plan,” I defend myself.
“You really don’t, but that’s okay, I think it’s just a male thing. Doug had no plan to woo me, and if it weren’t for me basically letting him know we were going to start dating, I’m pretty sure that wouldn’t have happened. So I’ll intervene for you.”
I laugh once and scoff. “You will do absolutelynothing.”
“Look, consider it a ... charitable offering. You’re single, no kids, a bit of a loser because you don’t even date ... it’s okay. I’m here. I’ll help.”
“Eloise, the absolute last thing I want is your help with this. If Penelope and I start anything, it’ll be between us and not with your meddling.”
Her lips part and she gasps. “Meddle? Me? Never. It’ll be helpful guidance.”
“It’s unwanted.”
“Too bad.” She takes my face between her thumb and other fingers, pinching my chin like Gran did. “I just want to see my big brother happy.” She releases me. “And I’m going to do just that.”
“Eloise, you just had a baby. You’re married to an unstable human and have a six-year-old who is either a genius or in need of anintervention. Do you really think my love life is another thing you need to add to your plate?”
“I do.” She kisses my cheek. “Now go home and shower. You smell like ass.”
I once again ponder why I decided to live close to family after the marines.
ten
Penelope
“Mom!” Kai screams as the lightning flashes, lighting up the sky after the power just went out.
“Stay there, I’ll come with a flashlight!” I call to them.
Using my phone’s flashlight, I rush into the kitchen, grab the actual flashlight from under the sink, and head to the boys.
