Page 76 of The Plus One Pact

Herbs.

Ha. She and Cynthia both.

Not that I can share that joke with Daniel.

I try to recall the scene at my apartment, when Sasha fixed Ivy's tea. How did she fix her tea compared to at her place?

Balanced, with milk and honey.

That's enough.

I scan the fridge for ingredients.

As usual, Mom is well stocked. Eggs, four types of cheese, overflowing shelves of fruits and vegetables, bread, flour, oatmeal.

Ivy might prefer a sweet breakfast. Pancakes or French Toast.

But savory is a safer bet. Eggs. Medium. With a little something extra. Green onion or basil and tomato. Just enough for oomph. Not so much to overwhelm.

Like a simple gin and tonic.

The pan sizzles as my brother pours eggs over tiny cubes of red peppers.

"I would have thought you covered this on the first night," he laughs. "Or did you leave too early that morning?"

"You know women. Once they've had their fun, they're done with you," I say.

That disarms him.

Ha, I've still got it. Tragically, pride fills my body. I want his approval too much. It's sickening.

"Is that really how it started?" he asks, in a tone that almost suggests he believes Ivy is my girlfriend.

"No. She waited until I woke up to kick me out of her apartment," I say.

"And how did you convince her to see you again?" he asks.

"How else?" I ask. "I promised to make her see stars again."

Daniel shakes his head. "Is everything about sex?"

"You started it."

"Mature," he says.

"Back at you." My eyes go to the table outside, where the ladies are chatting. Ivy laughs at something Cynthia says. They do have a lot in common, in a strange way. With their smarts and straight-shooter attitudes. And nothing in common, in another.

Maybe this can work.

"Cyn suggested you two dropped acid together," I say.

Daniel rolls his eyes. "She did not."

"Mushrooms, but still."

"Who says I haven't?"

"Really? You two are getting high and having crazy sex?"