Sophie lived in a remodeled historical building along Central Park. It was a short walk from my place, but entirely different. Where my home was all sleek angles and modern furniture, Sophie’s place was more old fashioned. It had been completely restored, but a lot of the features like the crown molding and floors were original.

Aunt Daphne apparently picked the place out. Uncle Rob had wanted a penthouse at some high rise. The two of them were kind of complete opposites. But somehow they fit perfectly. And one of the best parts about going to Sophie’s after school was that neither of her parents were home for a few hours.

Sophie unlocked the door and we walked in. Being away for even just one week felt like too much.

I kicked off my shoes like I always did and rounded the corner into the kitchen to grab a snack.

And I almost screamed when I saw Uncle Rob sitting on the kitchen island eating a slice of pizza.

Sophie laughed. “Dad, what are you doing home so early?”

“I had to bow out of the office for a bit so we could land a deal. Pizza?” He opened up the box.

“That sounds great.” I grabbed a slice. “Shouldn’t you have been negotiating the deal though?”

“Eh. Slight hiccup. I may have slept with the woman we were negotiating with. Forever ago, obviously. So I didn’t remember.” He shrugged. “I guess it upset her a bit?”

Sophie laughed.

I sometimes couldn’t believe that Uncle Rob was my dad’s brother. Where my father was kind of uptight...Uncle Rob was so laid back. My dad would never talk openly about this stuff with me. Because...awkward.

“So that’s why my dad had to miss class today?” I asked.

“You’re welcome for that,” Uncle Rob said. “I still can’t believe he’s terrorizing you girls at school. Just so you know...I tried to talk him out of it.”

I’d been hearing that a lot recently. My mom had tried to talk him out of it too.

“How was your day without my brother hovering?” Uncle Rob asked.

“Great,” Sophie said. “I almost seduced my teacher and Scarlett got felt up in the janitor’s closet.”

I choked on the pizza I’d been eating.

“And we put cameras in the men’s locker room so we can unmask this anonymous guy that’s been sending Scar saucy texts.”

Uncle Rob laughed. “I don’t know whether you’re joking about all that or not, but that sounds fun.” He took a moment to slap me on the back. “You okay? You gotta chew before you swallow, Scar.”

I stared at Uncle Rob. How was he not freaking out right now? Sophie just told him she was trying to seduce a teacher. I cleared my throat. “I’m good.”