Cruel Fortune (Cruel 2)

I opened my mouth to respond, but Charlotte cut in, “Ignore Ettie here. Tell us more about you. All we know is that you’re a famous author. Where did you grow up? Where did you go to college? What do your parents do?”

I heard Lewis curse from where he was mixing drinks and mutter something that sounded a bit like, “You two are the worst.”

“Well, I think we’re dating.” My eyes caught his, and he grinned. “If anything, I’m the one taking it slow.”

“Oh, flipping the gender norms. I approve,” Etta said encouragingly. “Keep my brother on his toes. He needs that.”

“Jesus Christ,” came from the bar.

“And there’s not much to tell about me. I grew up in the military. My dad retired in Charleston. I went to Grimke University and have a bachelor’s in English. Now, I’m writing here in the city.”

“Wow,” Charlotte breathed. “You must have lived all over.”

“I did. We moved every other year until I was a freshman in high school.”

“And here, I’d never moved until I graduated,” Etta said and then pursed her lips. “Unless you consider vacationing in Paris or the Hamptons or Ibiza for that winter or the Swiss Alps.”

Lewis plunked down glasses in front of us. “It’s not the same. And you sound ridiculous when you spout it off like that.”

Charlotte nodded. “Rein it in, so you don’t sound like an entitled brat.”

“As if you’re any better, Charlie.”

Charlotte fluttered her fingers at them and took a long sip of the cocktail in front of her. “Oh, heavy on the gin, brother. I do approve.”

“At least I’m good for something,” Lewis said.

“That’s a change,” Etta joked.

“Anyway,” Charlotte drawled, “we’re glad we got to meet you. And didn’t have to keep following your escapades on Crew.”

“Well, it is new.” I took a drink of my cocktail for liquid courage to get through this apparent interview with his sisters. I’d never liked interviews, and I hoped I was passing.

“Oh, girl, my brother does not give his affection lightly. If he likes you, then you’re it,” Etta said.

“Yeah. I mean, he’s only ever had three real girlfriends, right?” Charlotte asked.

“Guys,” Lewis grumbled.

“Yep,” Etta confirmed. “Addie in high school.”

“Monica in college.”

“And that bitch, Alicia.”

“Ugh, Alicia,” Charlotte groaned.

“Would you two knock it off? We’re not here for you to tell Natalie about my previous girlfriends.”

“Hey,” Etta said, poking him in the chest, “we’re helping you out, brother.”

“Yeah. We’re showing her that you stick with a woman when you find one that you like. The others are just…” Charlotte flitted her fingers up.

Lewis shook his head. “Why did I think introducing you all would be a good idea? Oh wait, I didn’t.”

Etta rolled her eyes. “Yeah, but if you’d introduced us to Alicia earlier,” Etta said, “then we could have told you she was a bitch. Would have saved you a lot of time!”

“And Natalie isn’t a bitch,” Charlotte confirmed.

“Well, thank god,” I muttered. My eyes were wide as I kept up with their swift exchange, learning so much in the process.

Charlotte laughed. “As if there was any doubt. You’re so sweet that you’re going to rot his teeth.”

Etta tilted her head onto my shoulder. “This is Charlotte’s way of saying that she likes you.”

“You three are so fun all together.”

Lewis looked mildly offended. “They’re trouble.”

“So are you,” Etta accused.

“A hundred percent.” Charlotte nodded her head. “Mom is going to love her.”

Etta eyed Lewis. “So, when are you bringing her home?”

I coughed in surprise. Meeting his sisters was one thing. I’d technically already met them at the Chloe Avana concert. Plus, drinks at Lewis’s wasn’t scary, only a bit intimidating. But meeting the parents…that was…wow.

Lewis shook his head at them. “Whenever I damn well please. You menaces should butt out.”

“Just saying, Mom is curious,” Etta said.

“All right. That’s it. Go bother someone else.”

Etta and Charlotte cackled as they drained the last of their drinks and stood. They pulled me in for hugs, promising to see me again soon and that I was welcome with them anytime. They dramatically bustled out of the apartment.

“They are…”

“I know,” he grumbled.

“Amazing, Lewis. Truly so amazing. You’re lucky to have that relationship with them.”

His eyebrows rose. “Most people find them overwhelming.”

“Well, sure. But what part of the Upper East Side isn’t?”

“You’re incredible. You know that, right?” He stepped into me and planted another kiss on my lips.

“Obviously,” I joked.

“No really. There’s no one else quite like you, Natalie.”

“You make all of this seem so easy.”

“It is easy with you.” He pulled back to look at me sincerely. “Can I tell you something?”

I nodded.

“I would really like you to meet my mother. She’s a wonderful, powerful, incredible woman. And the girls weren’t wrong when they said that she’d love you,” he said against my lips. “Is that too much?”

I found myself shaking my head. Not if she was anything like his sisters. Anything like him. “It’s not too much.”