Page 46 of The NemeSis
Apollo nods, appearing pleased enough with my answer. “Is that the only thing keeping you busy? Moving?”
I cross my arms. “What do you mean?”
“It’s been two weeks since we were all at the beach house. I haven’t talked to you since the day after you got back from London. That was only a work email. We normally chat every few days. I know we’re not kids anymore, but I appreciate when my younger brother checks in every few days.”
My thoughts go to Kyra. She’s why. Not that I can tell my brother, not yet. I have to figure out exactly how to go about telling my brother and the parents. First, I need to finish convincing Kyra we’re official and long term.
I noticed when she left my place the other day. She’s trying to pull back and be distant. I fucking hate it.
“Maybe you need a vacation too. I heard you gave Jules an extra two weeks of vacation time to use immediately. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. It’s just the slow season. She works hard and I’ve just been busy getting my place setup.”
“It is the slow season for you. Maybe you should take a vacation too. Why don’t you take the next week and a half away from here. All of this can be waiting for you when you get back.”
I laugh. “Is this coming from my brother or the CEO?”
His eyes light up before a chuckle comes out of him. “Maybe both.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Apollo nods, seeming to be fine with the answer. For now.
The door bursts open. “Hey, we need to ta—” Kyra walks inside my office and freezes. Her eyes widen for a moment before she shakes it off and smiles. “Apollo. Hey.”
“Kyra! What are you doing here?” Apollo stands up to greet her. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you here.” He glances back at me.
“Yeah. She’s been helping out since Jules is gone.”
Apollo laughs. “Has it been that busy?”
Kyra clears her throat. “Cataloguing is easy. Plus, being surrounded by all this history has inspired me. I’ve been working on this major paper for ancient history.”
It’s a lie. She already finished that paper a week ago, not that I’m going to say anything.
“Of course.” Apollo shakes his head as if he forgot. “I know what you’re studying. History is what Ares went to school for too. It just never clicked how it was all the same. Of course, this place would be helpful for you. I’m glad the opportunity came up.”
There’s a brief moment of silence before I speak up. “Yeah. I never realized she enjoy history until we got to talking over her spring break.”
“I’m glad you guys are getting along, our parents will be happy that we’re all getting closer.”
Kyra looks at me. He has no idea how close.
“This is actually perfect, since I have you both here. Their five-year anniversary is coming up next weekend. I was thinking we could celebrate at the club. It falls over Easter weekend again. Kyra, you have extra days off school. And I was just telling Ares here how he needs to take a vacation.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Kyra starts.
“We’ll be there.” I can feel the daggers she’s shooting toward me, but my gaze stays on my brother.
Apollo glances between the two of us before shaking the tension with a laugh. “Alright. I’ll let Daphne know so we can get the ball rolling.” He pulls his phone out and quickly sends a message. “I’ve got that meeting.” He looks back at me. “So, I will see you both next weekend.”
After a moment of hugs and goodbyes, it’s just Kyra and me. She fidgets with her necklace before walking over and giving me a little shove.
“He knows something is up.”
I grab her arm and pull her close. “You look gorgeous. Ready for dinner?”
“Ares, I’m serious.”
