Page 21 of An Alien for Her Heart

I’ve been so distracted with thoughts of her that I haven’t been able to get much done, and it’s already mid-afternoon.

My inbox is overflowing. I have a backlog of projects due this week, and several calls have been scheduled with Harrison and Dylan. Not to mention the massive stack of résumés Harrison sent via courier for several open associate positions in our London office.

Fortunately, I have Carol to help me sort through them all. She’s a retired real estate manager in her late sixties who re-entered the workforce when she found my job posting for a temporary assistant position. Her industry knowledge is impressive, and she doesn’t miss a thing.

I’ve been staring at the same cover letter for ten minutes when my phone pings with a text.

Mom’s Favorites Group Chat

Mom: Did you and Everly make it back to London?

Presley: More importantly, has Everly had enough of you yet?

Cash: Yes, we made it back.

Presley: You ignored my question.

Cash: It was a lame question.

Mom: Cash, apologize to your sister this instant.

Presley: Yeah, Cash, listen to Mom.

Cash: At least now we know who Mom’s favorite really is.

Mom: I don’t have favorites.

Cash: That’s not what the name of our group chat says.

Mom: Presley, I thought you changed that. I told you before that Harrison and Dylan will be upset if they see it.

Presley: They’re big boys, they’ll get over it. It’s their fault for not wanting to be a part of our conversations.

Last year Presley started a group chat for our siblings and parents. My dad didn’t join because he never checks his phone. Harrison left the group after his phone went off one too many times during a board meeting, and Dylan followed suit after we teased him about his nonexistent dating life before he and Marlow got together. Now, I’m the only one Mom and Presley have to pick on.

Cash: I’m happy to trade places with one of them if they’ve changed their minds.

Presley: Very funny.

Mom: Cash, when are you and Everly coming back to visit?

Cash: We were just there two days ago.

Mom: Yes, and? I miss you and want to get reacquainted with my new daughter-in-law.

Presley: What about Jack and me??

Mom: I miss you both too, sweetheart.

Cash: I should get back to work.

Presley: Funny, I’ve never heard you say that before.

Mom: Presley, be nice to your brother.

Presley: Oh, now who’s your favorite?

Cash: Have fun, you two.