Page 79 of The Plus One Pact

He looks to the table where Ivy and Cynthia are chatting outside. They laugh at something Mom says.

They're an odd trio, but they're working together well.

"But, okay, I'll look if I have time," he says.

"Perfect."

He looks to the tea. "Four minutes. Not a second longer."

"You sound like Sasha," I say.

Again, that hmm noise, though, this time, I don't hear you're a fuck up. I see the possibility of something else. And yes, one of those possibilities is why don't you admit you're dating her, or I know she goes by Mistress Sasha online, or your business partner sure is good at selling her number one product: you.

But I also hear you do have half a business degree.

I also hear you have had one long relationship with a woman, so why not another.

I hear possibility.

My brother brings out his breakfast first. After all, you can't wait for eggs to go cold. Mom would never allow such a thing.

Food needs to be eaten when it’s best. Daniel may not understand the push for pleasure, but he understands the attempt at excellence.

I make mine next. Meet him outside.

"Finally." Ivy's eyes light up as she spots the tea. "I need this." She motions to Mom's giant mug of coffee. "I don't even like coffee, and I've been staring longing at that cup all morning."

"Is that really going to work?" Cynthia teases. "If you don't like coffee and your boyfriend opens a coffee shop?" She shoots me a wink. An I'm working on this sort of wink.

Is Ivy working on her? I try to find some clue in her eyes.

She shrugs as if it's no big deal.

She knows what she's doing.

She's good at this.

"I'll advise on tea," Ivy says. "That could set you apart."

"The Mexican and Italian mix of flavors will do that," Cynthia says. "But it is always good to have a product for the friend, girlfriend, colleague. It's like a vegetarian option at a restaurant. It's not the focus, but it's necessary."

"You see? This is the life for us tea lovers." Ivy shakes her head with mock outrage, though, with her dry delivery, it comes across, well… deadpan, which somehow makes it seem more intense. "We're always the afterthought."

"Are you a vegetarian as well?" Cynthia asks. "Then you'd really be fucked."

"No, thankfully." She laughs.

"Okay, ladies, let's not bore ourselves with talk of business. Let’s score this thing. Ladies first.." Mom holds up a folded piece of paper. She asked them to guess and wrote it down. Not that she mentioned this part of the game to us. "What are your favorite breakfasts?"

"You know that answer, Mama." Daniel says.

She nods of course. "Still. For the record."

Daniel says his favorite breakfast. A vegetable omelet and a cafe au lait.

And I say mine. "Black coffee."

Ivy's lips curl into a smile.