“Is he asleep? But it’seleven o’clock in the morning. He can’t be asleep. In a lounge chair. On his patio. It’s just not possible.”
“I said you wouldn’t believe your eyes, didn’t I?”
“You did. And I was picturing something...well, to be honest, I pictured something that was wearing a shirt.”
Dear God, my brothers are here, ruining my peace. Elena must have let them in while I was getting reacquainted with naptime, something I haven’t done in decades. According to my mother, I stopped napping when I was six months old. Why do my brothers have to—
Wait a second.
Brothers. Plural. I heard both of them.
I open my eyes. Cedric is peering at me as though I’m an exotic bird he’s never encountered before.
“Cedric!” I say, leaping to my feet. “You’re back in Toronto. Since when?”
“Since yesterday.”
I give him a hug.
Vince and Cedric give each other a look.
“What?” I say. “What have I done this time?”
“That was an uncharacteristically enthusiastic greeting,” Cedric says.
“I haven’t seen you since Christmas. Of course I gave you an enthusiastic greeting. Where have you been?”
Cedric and Vince glance at each other again.
“Well, that answers my question about how things are going with Courtney.” Vince slaps me on the shoulder. “You’re getting laid now, aren’t you?”
I did not realize I was so transparent.
“There’s a woman?” Cedric asks.
“There is,” Vince says. “He’s very clear that she’s not his girlfriend, but they’re living together, so...”
“She’s helping me learn to enjoy life.” I gesture to the umbrella above me and the book on the table. “I’m paying her five thousand dollars to teach me to enjoy the two-week vacation that my family forced me to take.”
“Ah. You’re notwillinglytaking a holiday. I should have known.”
Well, I guess “forced” isn’t quite the right word. I would have gone back to work already if I hadn’t realized they had a point. I don’t let my family boss me aroundthatmuch.
The break has been good for me, though.
“He does seem to be making the most of it,” Vince says.
“He does,” Cedric agrees.
I glare at them. “Will you stop talking about me like I’m not here?”
“Fine, fine.” Apparently deciding I’ve spoiled his fun, Vince heads downstairs, leaving me and Cedric alone.
“Where did you go?” I ask.
“Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, China, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji.”
“Have a good time?”
