Me:No. When do you want to do lunch?
Paris:Are you not talking to Aspen either?
Me:Is she in the city?
Paris:She is. Duh.
Me:Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee.
Paris:Yeah, yeah.
Me:She pissed me off more than you did.
Paris:Why do you think I’m the one texting you?
Me:I can see you sometime this week. Tuesday? 1pm?
Paris:Great. 12 would be better.
Me:Didn’t think you’d be awake in time.
Paris:I have a couple meetings before.
Me:My sisters are growing up. It’s enough to make me teary-eyed.
Paris:Yeah, yeah.
Me:Paris, no cameras.
Paris:You’re such a fucking killjoy.
Me:I live my truth.
Smirking when she shot me a couple emojis of the bird, I input the lunch date into my datebook and asked Aoife, "How are you liking the new house?"
The brownstone was practically palatial, and far too big for two adults and a kid to roam around in. Still, that was the perk of wealth. You could have more space than sense, and enough bathrooms that a housekeeper could curse you every time she had to clean a different toilet.
"It’s weird being beside the road," she mused. "I like the traffic sounds though. It reminds me of when I was younger. Jake likes it too."
"Not Finn?" Camille teased.
"Nah. He’s being bougie. He soundproofed our bedroom!"
"Aidan soundproofed his office," I said with a pout.
"That’s because he knows you’ll try to eavesdrop," Aela pointed out.
"And he’s right," Inessa teased. "You totally would, wouldn’t you?"
"Duh. Doesn’t mean his lack of faith doesn’t sting," I grumbled until Aela elbowed me in the side.
"Don’t be a baby. I have enough of that living with all these men."
"One of whom is still in diapers."
"Cam’s the quietest. Trust me." Aela snatched another handful of nuts. "Surprised you’re not baking a little O’Donnelly by now."
Aoife tensed, and while I knew Aela noticed, she eyed me pointedly, not letting me back down from the conversation.