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While Esmé was napping, a serviceman from the building brought up several packages I’d been waiting for. I’d ordered them online at a high-end children’s store on Monday because their stock was low on llama gear. Who knew they’d be so popular for a baby’s nursery? But they were my favorite animal.
I unboxed the bedding for the crib. Blankets, sheets, a dust ruffle, prints for the wall with cute word plays for llamas. A whole llama love was the cutest by far. I picked things I’d choose for a nursery if Esmé were my own daughter.
Esmé and I spent most of the afternoon in Central Park. I couldn’t wait to try out the thousand-dollar stroller J.J. decided was a must have. I had to admit, the cute little pink covering and name Bugaboo sold me on it too. Plus, Esmé could face forward and see what was going on around her, instead of having to stare at my face.
When afternoon nap time rolled around, we headed back to the apartment. The woman who took care of Lucas’s apartment had cleaned up while we were gone. I had yet to meet her and wondered if she truly existed. But all the beds were made. Clothes washed and food restocked. If I ever had enough money, I wanted a housekeeper too. It would be the only cure for my messiness.
While Esmé slept in the nursery, I took my suitcase into Lucas’s room and rummaged through, looking for an outfit for my date. I’d brought two dresses, so my choices were either short and flirty or short and tight. I ended up going with the flirty one. It had a black-and-white pattern with a halter top. The hemline hit mid-thigh and flowed around my legs. With fall approaching, this would be my last time wearing it this year.
I showered in Lucas’s glass mausoleum but used my own products. As much as I loved Lucas’s scent, my date would likely rather I smelled like a woman. I toweled off and styled my hair. Nothing fancy, more curls and flirty to match my outfit. I applied a minimal amount of makeup, deciding to play my eyes up. They were my best feature. After changing into my dress for the night, I slipped on my heels and glanced one last time at myself in the mirror. Something was off. I couldn’t hide the conflict I felt inside about my date. I had a blank look in my eyes as if I was frozen in place. My mouth was so tight-lipped, my cheeks might crack if I tried to smile. Even my shoulders came close to touching my ears.
I tried to relax and chill out before Chloe, Lucas’s sister, arrived at the apartment to take my place and watch Esmé. Lucas asked her to help out so I could make it to my date on time. At least it showed he could be thoughtful about something. But I didn’t know anything about her other than she had wealthy parents and probably lived a Gossip Girl life wearing clothes from shops on Fifth Avenue. Instead of a knock-off Prada like mine, she’d probably have a real one hanging on her arm.
I smoothed down the dress I bought at Target and exhaled. I’d never be a socialite, and I was okay with that fact, but I wanted his sister to like me even if we were from different worlds.
A couple of small panic attacks later, Chloe arrived. When I opened the door, I stood there in shock. She was the female version of Lucas, though closer to my height. High cheekbones set off a pair of familiar light blue eyes. Where Lucas’s lacked warmth, hers danced with life. I loved her immediately.
“Maggie.” Chloe wrapped me in a hug. She smelled wonderful too—grownup and sophisticated. Her perfume was probably something from Chanel. Definitely out of my price range.
She released her arms from around me and pulled back, inspecting me from head to toe. It was hard to stand still as she nodded at me with a Cheshire cat grin. She didn’t appear to be judging me critically, more just taking me in as a person.
She placed a finger under my chin and raised it up. Her hand dropped as she laughed from somewhere down deep within herself. The kind that led a person to tears.
“Please excuse my horrible manners,” she said between giggles in a broken sentence. After a couple more deep breaths and sighs, she had herself under control. I waited for the show to continue. She may have been livelier than me, and that was saying a lot.
“I knew something was up with my brother when he talked about you. He sounded different, highly engaged and offered specific details. Dare I say romantic ones. It was definitely not his norm. But I get it now, after seeing you in person. All the pieces fit together. I think for the first time in, like, forever, my brother has feelings for someone. I want to hear all about you. Wait, am I being too pushy? You may not feel the same about him. Forgive me.”
