Page 37 of Isolation

“I’ll do more than that,” Alexa huffs. “I’ll front you the money if you ever want to start your own business. I know how talented you are, Raven. Do you remember the dress you made for me to wear at my Dad’s fiftieth birthday? I ended up selling it for two hundred dollars.”

“Wow, I don’t know what to say.” I am truly baffled. First by her sudden offer and also because of the subsequent information.

I was only sixteen when Alexa begged me to make her a custom-made dress for her father’s party. It wasn’t even that fancy of a dress.

“Girl,” she gives me an exasperated expression. “You have no idea how good you are. You can probably make ten to twelve dresses a month and pull six thousand dollars. Hell, I can link you up with my girls who like custom clothes. Actually, you should start a Shopify site.”

“Whoa! Hold up sparky,” I put up a hand. “You are going a million miles an hour. Where is all of this coming from?”

“Sorry,” Alexa laughs. “It’s the entrepreneurs in us. We can’t help ourselves. We hate watching talent be stifled by working for someone else.”

“Alexa,” I laugh, “talented people work for you. Are your talented staff being stifled?”

“Yes,” all three of them reply in unison.

“You guys are ridiculous.”I shake my head.

I laugh alongside them as they tell me more stories from their work. All four of them work a lot, and their business has grown exponentially.

Milo and his business partners created a finance app. The app rounds up your change if you link it to your charge card, allowing you to have an automatic savings account. They even work with investment bankers now, so the change can be invested in stocks.

While the rest of them stay rooted in New York, Milo travels to various cities to promote the app.

Despite the easy exchange between us, I can’t help but notice Brandon’s continuous flirtatious ways.

Ever since Brandon moved in, he has been overly friendly.He keeps throwing an arm around my shoulders, along with the occasional finger pokes.

When I knew him last, he never showed the slightest bit of interest in me. I don’t think that has changed.

Normally, I wouldn’t care to reflect on Brandon's intentions, but his actions are causing friction. Milo’s glare is steadfast on Brandon.

Milotwice removes Brandon’s hand from my arm. He does it casually, without missing a beat.

Brandon keeps pretending not to notice these jabs and continues on the same course.

Brandon is a tall, good looking man who is a charmer with the ladies. I doubt he is as oblivious as he is letting on. It seems apparent that he is trying to rile Milo up.

Whatever his reasons might be to do so, it doesn’t act as an obstruction in getting reacquainted with old friends.Ever since they have moved in, my bond with them has been rekindled.

When I finally notice the remaining Sinclair clan congregating downstairs, I grab the fruit tray and make my way back to the dining room.

I have already done the plate setting, but I realize how many things I have missed as Milo wordlessly brings random items from the kitchen to complete the set-up, such as water jugs, juice, and butter.

Teamwork,I hear someone giggle from behind. It’s probably my mother.

Everyone has been sidetracked ever since Tessa’s situation. The controversial topic of Milo and I have been swept under the rug.

While my father still has his concerns, I can tell that my mother is beyond thrilled. ShelovesMilo.

I take the seat next to Mia, who is absentmindedly poking at her yogurt with a spoon.

“Good morning,” I kiss her on the cheek. “How are you today, baby girl?”

Mia just gives me a tight smile and mumbles something unintelligible. She has been feeling down for the last few days.

I keep my eyes on Mia, but from the corner of my eye, I watch Milo walking towards the empty chair on the other side of me right as Brandon plops down on the chair, halting Milo in his tracks.

“Hi, Rave!” I don’t miss the delight in Brandon’s voice or the shit-eating grin plastered on his face. “Hi, Mia,” he tilts his head towards Mia. “Did you finish your college applications?”