Van reached out and took his sister’s hand. “Thanks for coming.”
I stood in place until the door closed again.
There were so many things going through my thoughts. The one I couldn’t shake was of the first time Van opened up to me, telling me about Sherman Brothers and mentioning his family. Now I’d met both of his siblings—no, his co-triplets.
It amazed me how three people who came into this world together could be so different. Olivia’s coloring was even different. It was why she reminded me of Madison at first glance. My gaze met Van’s. “She’s nice.”
Van laughed before reaching for his side. “She was a bitch to you.”
I set my coffee down and went to the bed, sitting on the side. “And rumor is that you’re the wolf.”
“I am.”
“Who am I?”
Van took my hands in his. “I believe I told you when we first met that you are Little Red Riding Hood.”
“I’m glad I met Olivia. Now who is Lena?”
“Fuck,” he growled.
“You know it’s like ripping off a Band-Aid.”
“I mentioned Lena before. I met with her while we were in Chicago.”
My eyes opened wide. “New Year’s Eve. Perfume lady.”
“Yes.”
“And she’s running Sherman and Madison?”
“Not entirely. I’m conscious again.” He reached toward the bedside stand. “And I have my phone. I’m ready to take back the reins.”
Moving the phone out of his reach, I asked, “Do you trust her?”
“Liv?”
“Lena.”
“I do.”
“Will she do her best serving in your stead?”
“I believe so,” he said.
“Then let her have a few more days.”
Van’s expression contorted. “There’s more to who she is.”
“Is she another crazed ex from your past?” The silence prevailed until I asked again, “She’s an ex?”
“She’s a friend.”
“A friend who you’ve slept with,” I said.
“A friend who I know well, and who knows me.”
He was forty-one.