It takes me a couple of seconds to remind myself that I’m not like other girls. I don’t gush around a hot guy. My life is already too complicated to add guys to it. Crushes are a major complication. Pulling my hand away from him, I grab my backpack, my carry-on bag, and I run to the nearest restroom.
Chapter Two
Eros
I have two choices: Go after Olivia Evelyn, who I clearly don’t want to learn she died of something or another, or head home. As the oldest of my siblings, I’m always looking after my sisters. All three of them. Well, mostly Nyx and Persephone, who are only a couple of years younger than me. Calliope is nine years younger. We don’t run in the same circles.
The point is that if any of them were stranded in the middle of a blizzard without a place to stay, I hope that someone would lend them a hand. I can’t offer to pay for a hotel room if there are any available. My options are to remain in the airport with her until my flight takes off on Wednesday or bring her to my apartment.
My phone rings. It’s Nyx. She’s a couple of years younger than me, but sometimes she takes on the role of the oldest sister. I let her boss me around because it makes her happy.
“Nyx?”
“We’re about to take off,” she states. By we, I assume she’s talking about her and Persy. They live in North Carolina. Nyx goes to Duke, while Persy goes to the University of North Carolina. The three of us have always done everything together—except college. I chose Columbia University.
“Call me when you get home,” I request.
“I’m guessing they canceled your flight.”
I sigh. “Yes. I won’t be home until Wednesday.”
“You’re cutting it too close. I told you to leave on Sunday. Why don’t you fly out tomorrow?”
“I got out of work at two today,” I remind her. “Tomorrow’s flights are all booked. The storm isn’t tampering down until tomorrow night. I figured it was safer to book it for Wednesday morning. I should be at the parents’ around two o’clock.”
“Do you have food at home?”
“I’m prepared,” I assure her. This isn’t my first storm. “Let me ask you something.”
“Shoot.”
“If you’re stuck at the airport with nowhere to go and a guy offers you a place to stay, would you think it’s creepy?”
“Yep,” she answers, mumbles something, and then says, “You tried to save the day, didn’t you?”
“I can’t just leave her stranded,” I explain. “She went to hide in the restroom. We joked about me being a serial killer, but maybe she believes it.”
“You’re like a puppy. Harmless and a fool.” She sighs. “How old is she?”
“Nineteen or twenty? She’s about Persy’s age.”
“Why don’t you stay with her at the airport.”
“Or I can just leave her.”
“What if it was Callie?”
“She’s nothing like Callie.” My sister is twelve and I can see her throwing a major tantrum in the middle of the airport. “She’s actually kind of funny.”
I don’t add cute to the description. Olivia is beautiful. Mahogany colored hair, big hazel eyes that contrast with her tan skin, long eyelashes that frame her sparkling eyes. She’s petite, curvy, and has a pretty smile. If I add more to her description, she’s going to think I’m into her. Which I’m not. The only reason I’m offering her a place to stay is because she’s stranded and doesn’t have anywhere to go.
“Give her the phone,” she orders.
“I told you, she’s hiding in the restroom.”
Nyx growls. “You already scared her. Go inside and yell, ‘Guy coming in.’ Make sure to close your eyes.”
“I’m not doing that, Nyx Andromeda.”
Getting close to the entrance, I yell, “Olivia, it’s Eros. My sister would like to have a word with you.”
“Your sister?” I hear her voice from somewhere inside the bathroom. “Is that another tactic to kidnap me?”
“No, I’m serious. My sister would like a word with you.”
She walks outside the bathroom and glares at me, then at the phone. “Why would she want to talk to me?”
I shrug.
“Is she your partner? I thought psychopaths worked alone.”
“We usually do, but at this time of the year it’s easier with a helper. We learned it from Santa.” I wink at her.
“That’s not funny, Eros!” Nyx yells. “You can be so dense.”
Olivia grins and takes the phone.
“Hi.” She nods, shakes her head, and gives me a curious look. “I can see the resemblance. Well, my parents drilled the stranger danger motto at a young age. It’s harder for serial killers like him to get me alone. Obviously, if you say he’s safe, I should believe you. Because what are the chances that you are his accomplice.”
Olivia presses her lips together. “I can do that. Thank you and have a nice flight.”
She hands over my phone.
“What did she want?” I ask curiously.
“You know, the usual,” she explains, waving her hand. “Call nine-one-one, kick him in the nuts, don’t feed him after midnight or he turns into a monster.”
“Nyx wouldn’t say that,” I claim.
She frowns. “I talked to Persephone.”
“Huh?” I scratch my temple. “I was on the phone with Nyx.”
“So, what’s with the Greek mythology names?”
I grin. “My parents are fans. Our youngest sister is Calliope.”
She nods a couple of times. “That’s a lot better than Olivia Evelyn. My parents named me after my grandmothers. I adored the ladies, but I would’ve liked to have something a little more original and a lot less old lady.”
“You don’t know what you wish for. Try living with the name Eros Zephyrus,” I argue.
She laughs. “That’s—it’s a joke, right?”
I shake my head. “Nope. My parents are… different. What did my sisters want?”
“Persephone said the puppy face is real. You wouldn’t kill a fly or an insect—or you’ll get in trouble with your parents.”
“Persy talks fast. I’m sure there was more,” I say, staring at her.
She shrugs one shoulder. “Maybe, and I can’t tell you because it’s a secret. It’s the only way to stay alive until I have to board my plane to San Francisco.”
“Are you having fun?”
“Slightly. I can’t believe you had your sisters call me.”
“It wasn’t exactly like that. They called and I asked them what to do.”
“Because you’re afraid of the storm?”
“Honestly, it’s unsettling to think of what could happen to you.”
“The inside of the airport is safe,” she mumbles.
“That movie, The Terminal, was fantasy. I prefer to know that you’re safe. If I have to stay with you, that’s fine.” I tilt my head toward the waiting area. “Why don’t we take a seat?”