This is brutal.
“I might not deserve a spot in your books, but a woman like Syd does.”
“There are so many things wrong with that sentence. First, don’t call her Syd. She isn’t some damn sloth from a Disney movie. Second, I just said I write sex. Forgive me for not jumping to add details of my little sister to the novel.”
God, this man is like an onion. How many layers do I need to get through?
He gives me a side-eye and goes back to his phone.
“Uncle Hero has a nice ring to it,” I change the subject. He doesn’t look up. “I have twin nephews who are two, and they learn so much in such a short amount of time, and—”
“Hero, are you even listening to Mark?”
He clicks his phone off and shoves it in his pocket before looking at Syd who just stepped into the room.
“Yeah, I was.”
“Really? What was he talking about?”
“Um.” He looks at me, and since Syd’s back is to me, I put my hands in a cradle position. “Babies.”
“I saw Mark in the mirror,” Syd laughs.
I sigh, and Hero shakes his head.
“What were you really doing? Making notes on a new novel?” she asks.
“Yep. A new villain.”
“Okay, stop. Mark seriously just tried to help you lie to me. He’s going to be around for the long haul, Hero, so you better just give up and like him now.”
“Like him? When did it go from only having to tolerate him to actually having to like him?”
“I swear, who is the older child, you or me?”
“Kids fighting before dinner. It feels just like the old days.” Syd’s mother steps into the room and walks right to me. I stand to give her a hug. “It’s so good to see you again, Mark.”
“You too, Mrs. Quinn.”
“I knew when I met you that you and my daughter would have something special.”
“Oh, we are just friends, Mom,” Syd adds. It’s a phrase she’s said before, it’s one I’ve said before, but hearing her say it right now feels uncomfortable. Especially because she said it like it’s so definitive. As if us being something more was the furthest thing from her mind.
Hero makes a grunting noise, and even though no one comments on it, I’m pretty sure his grunt said what I was thinking.
“Dinner is ready.” A man who reminds me of Tim Allen appears, and everyone moves for the door quickly. I have no doubt this is Syd’s dad.
Syd pauses at the doorway as Hero and her mom continue to the dining room.
“Dad, this is Mark. Mark, this is my father, Vince Quinn.”
“Pleasure to meet you, sir.”
“Do you have a job?”
He crosses his arms.
“No, sir, not at the moment. I’m still in school.”
