Page 23 of The Unconventional Nanny
"Did she say anything before she left?"
It isn't like my sister to drop off the face of the earth without a plan. After her breakup with Chase, she became anal about everything. She did nothing without a plan, her days more organized than a designer purse store.
"She told Michelle she had a new business venture she was considering exploring, but that was all."
Huh. "That doesn't sound like Annie at all. Are you sure she wasn't being kidnapped and trying to give Michelle a clue? Kinda like if I ever told you my favorite shirt is a blank tee, you would know I was in trouble and should send in the troops."
"Oh." Annalee bounces on her stool next to me. "Mine would be I want seafood for dinner tonight." She makes a face at the word seafood and I chuckle.
Owen’s face is deadpan. Apparently he doesn't seem to think we're very funny. "I doubt she was being kidnapped. Maybe after five years she's decided to move on and this new business venture will be good for her. She needs to start living her life again."
Riiiiight. "This is Annie we're talking about."
Owen leans both arms on the island across from Annalee and me and drops his head. "I know, but it sounded good in my head."
The timer on the oven goes off, and Annalee jumps up and rushes to take the hot food out. We work as a team to get the table set, and before long, we’re sitting around the small four-seater kitchen table discussing everything but our family drama.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. I bought us matching shirts." I wiggle my eyebrows at Annalee who giggles like a schoolgirl while Owen groans, "Nooooo."
"Oh stop." I burst out laughing. "It's completely tame compared to what I usually wear."
"Well, now I'm curious." Annalee sets her elbows on the kitchen table and rests her chin in her hand. "Do tell."
"It says . . ." I pause for dramatic effect, and maybe to torture my brother just a little for his remark. "Apparently we're trouble together. Who knew?"
Owen lets out an audible sigh of relief. "I thought for sure with that pause it was going to be something terrible."
Annalee and I both laugh.
"Like what?" I ask when I'm able to speak again.
"I don't know," he answers, clearly frustrated. "Have you seen what you wear?"
I roll my eyes. "No, I don't have the first clue what kind of clothes I wear," I retort sarcastically.
"You know what I mean."
I do, but it's more fun this way. "I'm not sure I do. Why don't you tell me?"
Owen is obviously flustered when he stumbles through his sentence. "I ummmm . . . look." He points at today's obnoxious donut shirt. "Take that one for example."
I look down at the array of colors and smile. This one happens to be one of my favorites. "What's wrong with my shirt? It has a donut on it."
"It's not the donut that's the problem."
"Then what about it is?" Yes, I want him to read it. I want it so badly I'm practically salivating thinking how hilarious it will be when he does.
"It talks about wanting someone to glaze your hole," he seethes, and yes, I burst into laughter so hard I need to grab my side.
It only takes my brother a few seconds to realize what I did. "You wanted me to read it out loud," he sighs. He doesn't even bother to phrase it as a question.
"Yeah, I did." I wipe at the tears in my eyes from cackling like a maniac. "And it was so damn worth it."
Owen shakes his head. This is probably why he never came back to Chicago. My sisters and I could be a lot on our own, but put us all together and we tortured Owen the few times he graced us with his presence.
"I don't know why I bother to spend time with you," Owen huffs.
I reach across the table and snag his hand. "Yes, you do." I bat my eyelashes at him like a little girl would at her father when she wants something. "It's because you love me the best out of our siblings."
