“All is not lost though,” she said quickly. “She just needs you to be there when things get nasty between her and her mom, and her boss for that matter. But she doesn’t sound like the kind of person who’s going to dump all of her problems on others either.”

“So I need to anticipate?”

“And listen, and read between the lines. I think you should ask about this Chicago trip again.”

John felt queasy from her recommendation. He didn’t want to force his presence on her if she didn’t request it. “What about Becca?”

Jessi frowned. “I appreciate you looking after your niece, but you’re not the only caregiver she has. It takes a village, Johnny. Between you, the moms, and Chris—By the way, how is Chris?”

“What?”

“What’s Chris up to?” Jessi asked wearing an innocent expression. “I was just wondering.”

“He’s being Chris, dude-bro Chris,” John said, narrowing his eyes at his sister. “Why the hell are you asking?”

She waved off his concern. “Nothing, don’t worry about it. All I’m saying is: you’re free to pursue a cute lady. That’s what family is for.”

He settled down and decided to tuck that little nugget away for another time. He was picking up a vibe between his sister and best friend that he didn’t have time to investigate at the moment. “I just prefer to be asked is all.”

“And that’s why you’re a perfect gentleman. But she might have left you hanging because she likes the orderly situation she created. Family drama on this side, boyfriend on the other side. But a little chaos never hurt anyone,” she said with a grin.

Since they had moved on to his tamer version of a sordid affair, meeting her parents seemed as normal as it could get. Fucking, dating, meeting her mom and dad. Sure, the order wasn’t to her liking, but he was intent on getting to know her. Why not go to the source of her neurosis? If last night’s phone call was any indication, Victoria was losing control of the plot anyway. He’d held on to her voice and nursed its whimpering cadence when she’d said “I’d sleep better with you.” John’s heart swelled as much as his cock when he heard those words.

“There’s another far-off look,” Jessi said, interrupting his thoughts. “Your concentration has always been an issue, but this Victoria is making you worse.”

Her laughing eyes were a welcome sight even if he was struggling with love woes. He missed his sister, a friend he could always depend on for support when his mind was scattered. “I’m seeing her tonight,” he said. “She should show up any minute. Maybe I can nudge then?”

“You think she might be down for a Skype meeting?”

“Nope.”

Jessi stuck out her tongue. “I go to Sweden and miss everything, huh?”