Page 2 of Unexpectedly In Love

“I gave Anise my new bookThis Greek Loveto beta read, and she has complaints,” Cassia says.

The phone goes silent.

“Sage?” Cassia calls out.

I glance back at my phone to see if Sage got stuck.

Sage shoulders begin to shake. “Sis, no offense, butThis Greek Lovesounds like an 80’s porno that a kid would find under their parents’ bed.”

Laughter erupts over the phone. I grab my crotch, motioning toward my sisters. “Come here and get This Greek Love.”

Cassia screams with laughter, throwing her head back onto her work chair. “Okay, okay, I will change the title. God. Anything else?”

“Even though I didn’t read the book, I hate enemies-to-lovers romance novels. Like, why would I be with someone that I don’t like?” Sage comments.

Lifting the top part of my suitcase, I finally find my body butter.

As I sit on the edge of the bed, I begin to moisturize my skin. The butter glides across my dark brown skin, making it glow. “Oh, you know what I hate? I mean hate.”

“Please tell me, add to my writers’ depression,” Cassia laments. I peer at the screen, I am teasing her, but if this is affecting my sister, this conversation ends here.

“Hey, you okay?” I ask, pausing to take my sister in.

Cassia shoulders drop. “Yes, I am tired. It’s the new landlord. I don’t wanna talk about it.”

Sage clips her hair in. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. Tell us what you hate about romance novels, Ani.” Cassia plays with the end of her long locs. She is sitting cross-legged on her office chair. Her laptop screen light bounces off the gold beads in her hair and her halter top.

“I hate one night stand pregnancies. The fuck first and ask questions later girlies,” I state.

“Really?” Cassia asks.

“Yes. Like, girl, wrap his dick up. It’s not that good that you will forget. Get yourself a condom.” I slather body butter onto my elbows.

“Oh, and surprise pregnancies. Five years pass, and she doesn’t tell the man she has his kids. My God, tell him! Why wait?” Sage screams.

Cassia chuckles as she watches the two of us. It is rare to see Sage this animated, but when she is passionate about something, it shows.

“Cassy, you must hate something in romance. Tell us.” I massage the body butter down to my calves and heel.

“I love everything about a romance novel.” Cassia smiles meekly.

“Oh God, Cassy, there must be something,” Sage says with a curler cover in her mouth.

“I don’t hate it, but Fabio wasn’t hot, and he didn’t need to be on every romance novel cover.” Cassy smirks at the screen.

“Is that the old school guy with the muscles? The long hair? I don’t like long hair on men,” I state.

Cassia nods. “Yes, he had split ends too. Like Fabio, baby, cut that hair, honey. Let it go.”

“Don’t forget the woman that is always staring up at him, gripping his pants.” Sage clutches the air and gazes up into an imaginary figure.

Cassia laughs and wipes her eyes. Sage breaks character and begins to snicker.

“They also had heaving bosoms,” I add.

“Ha, why are the bosoms always heaving?” Sage asks, her question drips in mockery.

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