Surge

“Like I said, just trying to eat healthier. And some of the agents in the office come here sometimes. It’s good food.”

Bingo.

“So what’s her name?”

He rolled his eyes.

I spun my hands as if trying to reel in an answer.

He gave me a sly smile. “Her name is Off Limits. We already have one lawsuit in the family. Not about to get a sexual harassment thing going. I’m her boss.”

I took a sip of wine. “I’m finding it hard to believe that you of all people have a ‘no fraternizing’ policy at your real estate firm. That doesn’t sound like you at all.”

“We don’t have one.”

“So if she falls for those baby blues like every other woman has, it’s mutual. As in, not harassment.”

“Therein lies the problem.”

I widened my eyes. “There’s a woman who doesn’t want Tyran Lewis? I like her already.”

He narrowed his eyes. “I thought we were past the sibling rivalry thing now?”

“I’m just kidding.” I touched his forearm. “Sorry, I need a bit of humor in my life right now, and it’s coming at your expense. If you’ve gone all veggie for her, she must be special.”

“She hates me.”

“Did you give her a reason to?”

He threw a thought around in his head, pursed his lips, then let out a puff of air. “Yeah. Maybe.”

“Geez, dude. You schmooze every woman you don’t like and piss off the one you do. It’s like kindergarten over here.”

“It’s fine.”

“I think you need Drake back as much as I do. You need a wingman. And a lesson in romance.”

Tyran pointed a finger at me. “A dog. That’s what I really need.”

I picked up my wine and peered over the edge of the glass. “You can’t get a pet just to lure a woman.”

“Course not. You guys should get a dog. I can just walk it and, you know, be the cool uncle.”

I laughed and took a drink of my wine. The few sips I’d had already soothed my nerves. “I do like dogs. Not sure about Drake, though. Anyway, if we do you a solid like that, I’d have to screen this girl first. What’s her name again? Off Limits?” I shook my head. “Only in LA. That’s even stranger than Apple. Or Blanket. Is she the daughter of a celebrity by chance?”

“I’m not telling you her name…”

The server arrived with our food, and I had to admit, the warm aroma of garlic and herbs was almost as soothing as the wine. “Wow.” I inspected my plate. “This looks divine.”

Tyran grabbed his fork and pointed it at me. “A dog. And it has to be ugly, too. She’s the type who would like a really ugly dog.”

“Maybe that’s why she doesn’t like you.”

“Aw. Thanks, sis.”

As I ate a vegan meal that knocked my socks off, I fantasized about going on a double date with Tyran and Off Limits. Maybe we’d be able to start a new family of misfits. Maybe we could have a new Sunday tradition. Mom would be excited to try more recipes out of a vegetarian cookbook, and Drake and I would give my mom a wedding to plan. Off Limits would be super cool and hopefully like music…

Maybe it was just the wine. Maybe it was my brother’s youthful optimism that an ugly dog was the answer to making a woman not hate him, but I was feeling really hopeful. Life would be okay. It seemed to be repairing like a Japanese Kintsugi. It definitely wasn’t the same, but we were filling the cracks with gold.