“Your place is packed.”
“This place is packed too.”
“But it’s all on one level.”
“Alara,” Ezzy said, rolling her eyes. “This is me. We don’t need to lie to each other.”
I sighed, looking out the window. “Maybe it’s because I was feeling shitty. And I didn’t need to, like, perform for Christopher.”
“You don’t need to perform for us, either. But I get what you’re saying. You are more likely to put on a brave face for us and our kids, even when all you want to do is wallow.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s it.”
“But let’s be real. That’s not all of it.”
“Ez…”
“I’m not blind. I’ve seen the way both of you keep looking at each other when you think the other isn’t looking.”
“I’m not going to lie. Some… stuff has happened.”
“Okay. And?”
“And… nothing. He doesn’t want me.”
“I think said ‘stuff’ happening proves otherwise.”
“I guess maybe it’s more that he doesn’t want to want me.”
“Why?”
“Because of Brio, mostly. And because I’m younger than him.”
“Oh, my God. It’s not like you’re eighteen years old.”
“Right?”
“And what about Brio?”
“I’m his wife’s baby sister.”
“Right. Like Brio doesn’t know you’re a full-grown woman who spends time with men, and occasionally goes home with them.”
“You know how the Family is about this stupid crap.”
“Like, I’d get the concern if Chris was planning on fucking you and fucking you over. But I really don’t think he’s looking just to hook up with you.”
“No, he’s… I think he’s in a more serious phase of his life. Random sex isn’t what he seems to be looking for.”
“I’ll mention it to Brio. No, don’t interrupt,” she demanded, holding up a hand. “In a casual way. In a ‘it seems like Chris and Alara have a spark’ kind of way. See what he says. But I know my husband. He wants you happy. He wants Chris happy. He would love it if you made each other happy.”
“I think everyone is just getting away with themselves here. It’s not that serious.”
“Is it not that serious, or are you two fighting it? There’s a difference.”
“I think—”
I was saved from answering by the men coming back with an exhausted-looking Tuna. Each man had a bag of something that smelled like onions and vinegar.
