“You didn’t come for avisit.”
His eyes narrow. “How wouldyouknow?”
“You barely ever even call me, let alone show up unannounced on my doorstep for an impromptu sibling bondingsession.”
“Can’t a big brother just surprise his little sister without a reason?” he hedges, shifting uneasily from foottofoot.
I think about it for a nanosecond. “Not when that big brotherisyou.”
“Don’t be socynical,Lila.”
“Don’t dodge my questions,Duncan.”
His jawclenches.
When he remains quiet, I start tapping one bare foot against the hardwood in impatience. “Not getting any youngerhere,D.”
“You know, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you weren’t entirely happy toseeme.”
“I wonder why!” I scoff. “Could it possibly have something to do with you taking every penny out of Mom and Dad’ssavings?”
“I didn’t take every penny.” He pauses. “I didn’t touch their retirementaccounts.”
“Wow, what a saintyouare!”
“Oh, like you’re up for a Nobel PeacePrize,Lila?”
I shrug. “I never claimed to be. But I also didn’t bankruptsix different companieswhile somehow maintaining a sense of hubris to rival theGreekgods.”
“Look, that’s why I’m here, okay? I’m going to get the money back — everything I lost,andmore.”
“I’ve heard this tale before,” I remind him in a tiredvoice.
“It’s different this time!” he snaps, looking more pissed than the day I snuck into his room at age six, disassembled the LEGO castle he’d spent weeks building, and used the pieces to make a house for my Polly Pockets. “ManScentshas a massive target demo, and investors are psyched about itspotential.”
I freeze. “I’m sorry… did you just saymanscents?”
“Yes,” hemutters.
“What in the ever loving hell is amanscent?”
“Did Mom and Dad not tell you about my newcompany?”
“I’m sure they did at some point,” I murmur unconvincingly. “Honestly, Duncan, you’ve changed careers so many times it’s a little tough to keep track of what you’re up to,thesedays.”
“Well, we can’t all make it as easy asyoudo.” He smiles coldly. “I never have trouble keeping up with your career path, considering you’ve never actually bothered topursueone.”
“Nice.Realnice.”
He shrugs. “Youstartedit.”
“Did we take a time machine back to the ‘90s without my knowledge?” I shake my head. “Can we just talk like adults for once, without the unnecessary verbalsparring?”
“Fine.” He holds up his hands in surrender. “I’ll be on my bestbehavior.”
A well-behaved Duncan? That’ll betheday.
I stare at him. “What, pray tell, is a manscent? I’d guess, but I’m somewhat afraid of theanswer.”