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“They accepted a million-plus below asking,” Drew replied.
“Really? Very good.” Dad gave me the phone and I moved back to the couch. “I suppose I can live with the nickname if my girl can.”
Mom gave him an arch look. “Meaning he can live with you living in that house, Zelda.”
I smiled and nodded. “I know, Mom.”
“Big house for just three people,” Dad remarked.
“Says the man living in a big house with only one other person,” I replied and elaborated, “Extra room for when friends and family visit.” That he’d included Aithan in the living situation boded well. He liked the guys and was getting comfortable with our unconventional relationship. As long as he didn’t know too many details.
The click of high heels on wood announced Greer. She paused in the doorway to the kitchen, purse and keys in hand. She looked perfect in a forest green pantsuit. Of course. “Three people, Zel,” she remarked cryptically. “Momma, I’m spending the night with a friend. I’ll be back tomorrow morning. Need anything from the store? I can stop on my way home.”
Mom said, “You’re leaving now? Which friend? Why don’t you stay and say hello?”
Greer donned what I called her “professional therapist expression.” She looked from Aithan to Drew, said, “Hello again and hello,” then back to mom and repeated, “Do you need anything?”
“Greer,” Dad snapped.
“I’ll take that as a no.” She turned on her heel into the kitchen. The sound of the front door opening and closing followed a moment later.
“Well, she’s hitting epic levels of bitch these days,” I said.
Mom frowned. “Zelda, please. Greer’s going through a hard time.”
“Oh? Did she break a nail clawing out an enemy’s eyes?”
Drew pressed my hand against his mouth, an attempt to stifle his laughter.
“Don’t you dare,” I hissed at him.
Dad chuckled. Mom shot him a dirty look and he stopped laughing, furrowed his brow at me, and said, “I mean, hmm. Play nice, Zel.”
Drew lost his shit at that.
Aithan kept it together, but said, “Now I see where Zel gets her snark, Hob.”
My dad started chuckling again.
Mom sighed and shook her head.
Drew said, “I’m sorry, Undine. I can’t help it. Zel will tell you, I’m still a fourteen-year-old kid in some ways.”
“Oh, that’s alright,” she replied. “I’ve had to listen to Zelda and Greer bickering for twenty-four years. You’d think I’d be immune to it by now.” She sighed. “I grew up with brothers. I don’t know what to do with the girls. I had no idea they could be this vicious.”
Aithan nodded. “I did. I have three sisters and learned the hard way not to get into the middle of that kinda dog fight.”
Dad nodded. “That’s what I’ve been telling you all this time, Undine.” Tapping his chest, he looked at Aithan. “Four sisters.”
“Any brothers?”
“No. Just me stuck right in the middle.”
Aithan actually winced. “You have my sympathy.”
“Do you have any brothers?” Dad asked.
“One.”
