Page 52 of Dahlias, Sapphires, and Cool Autumn Dusk
I touched the side of his face, sighing because he made it sound so easy. Still, easier to agree than argue, so I said, “Okay.”
13
Ithought they had brought me to the restaurant on the Upper West Side before, since it seemed mildly familiar as I drank coffee and ate my eggs. I didn’t have to say much, exhaustion coloring my mood, otherwise I just listened to them argue about a remake of a movie that just came out.
Barrett texted on his phone, but I couldn't even drum up the interest to ask him who it was. Noticing my own disassociation, I tried to force myself to pay attention to the moment. After all, every moment with them together seemed precious to me still.
Barrett finally set down his phone, glancing at his brothers in turn. “Two things—we have somewhere to go after this. It’s a surprise, so no, don’t bother asking me where. Secondly, Stephen is back in town.”
Julian set down his soda with a plunk and rattle of ice. “How is Mom?”
“He said when he left that she looked much better. Eric will be back with her soon.” He shook his head. “This is news to me. I can’t remember them ever being apart for more than a day or two, or a night here and there.”
I opened my mouth to tell them what I knew about Dina, but then snapped my lips closed quickly. It wasn’t my place to share her secrets, but what would it be like at the lake if we went today? Did the world of Dina’s youth continue today?
“I’m sure they would rather be together now,” I said, offering them a comforting smile. “But we’re living real life, right? They have to go back to their jobs.”
Phoenix nodded. “Yeah, well that just makes me wonder what is happening to Eric’s practice. He pretty much ignored it for a few extra weeks this summer.”
Jeremy set down his fork. “He’s good. People wait for him. He’ll be fine, if he needs a little bit of time. He is devoted to his work normally. Mom first, then his practice.”
A gust of damp September wind hit me, lifting my hair and sliding a chill down my spine. It should be hot in the city, yet autumn seemed to encroach on the warmth with unusual speed.
“Phoenix,” I said as a thought dawned on me. “Did I leave your jacket in the car last night? The one you gave me outside the club. I think I left it in the car.”
He shrugged. “I have it in other colors. I can just order it again.”
“I’m still sorry.”
He leaned over and kissed me. “Don’t worry about it. Please, don’t.”
I widened my eyes, because I didn’t live in a world where we didn’t worry about losing designer jackets, so I wasn’t sure if it really would be okay. Not to mention he just kissed me in public…
Jeremy grinned at my reaction before fist bumping his brother, clearly impressed. “There’s nobody here I recognize. I think he got away with that.”
“Maybe I check first, because I’m not a fuck up.” Phoenix winked at Jeremy, his sass telling me he took something in the car.
I leaned back, sighing. “I don’t suppose anyone heard anything new about my birth certificate?”
“No,” Barrett said and winced. “I doubt Stephen would know anyway. If he can’t invest in it, he tends not to know much.”
Julian grinned. “Sometimes he knows random things, and he’ll name an old movie no one has ever heard of or rattle off every baseball stat ever recorded. The guy also knows anything and everything Greek.”
Jeremy pointed at him, adding. “Every restaurant in the city, not to mention possible restaurants in cities he hasn’t visited yet.”
I grinned, because they didn’t usually share a lot about their family. “What about Daniel? What is he like?”
“He’s funny.” Barrett said then nodded. “But in a gallows humor kind of a way? He’s quick to say nice things and slower to criticize, but when he does—wow, it hurts.”
Phoenix winced. “He’s not wrong.”
“He runs in, like, 5Ks and half-marathons. Marathons. Drinks protein drinks at five in the morning.” His grin grew, sentimentality easing some of his worries. “What’s even funnier is how he reacts when he can’t get the joke. He genuinely cannot stand it, and it happens a lot.”
Phoenix was finally smiling, too. “He hates it. It’s hilarious.”
“And Eric?” I looked between them.
“He’s the quiet and sensitive one, who cares how people feel. He wants us all to have happiness and good luck, and the man genuinely thinks our mother walks on water. Oh, he also blames himself foreverything.”
