clearly wasn't that.
"So that was the Owen you just mentioned?"
"Yes — my long-lost big brother, Owen Glenison. Or now, Owen Branson. Who’s just retired from the Marines after a distinguished career and is now running a security consultancy. With his boyfriend."
There was the hint of a smirk on Eric's face as he delivered the news and Emmy could tell he was rehearsing for the confrontation with his dad, with more relish than the situation needed. She wouldn't be surprised if the family reunion turned into an all-out drama fest.
"That should go down well with your dad," Anna said slowly, and Emmy could tell she remembered the conversation they’d had at Christmas about Senator Glenison's bigotry.
"I won't deny that part of me is looking forward to it," Eric said with a shrug. "Especially if it makes Mum realize what a terminal asshole Dad is. Anyhow — I propose a toast to siblings."
He raised his glass and Emmy and Anna followed suit with enthusiasm.
"So... when is Owen coming over? "
"I'll make plans with Mum. But this coming weekend, if it all goes well. I have a trip to Shanghai I can't postpone too long, but apart from that I'm not planning to travel much. And I hope you and I will be able to spend some time together..."
"What did you have in mind?"
"I definitely feel I need to manage my cultural life better — Met gala evenings are all fine and well, but there's off-off-Broadway productions, foreign film screenings and obscure gigs that I should be exploring, and I can't think of anyone better than you to guide me."
"Eric, you're edging into overkill territory," Emmy said with a grin. She could practically hear Anna's eyes rolling behind her.
"Actually, darling, I am being sincere. I spend far too much time at the office and not enough enjoying all that New York has to offer."
"Funny," Anna said drily, "I could say the exact same thing about my sister. Perhaps you two could have a beneficial effect on each other?"
If we ever get out of bed, Emmy thought fleetingly, because the proximity of Eric, even with Anna in attendance, was leading her mind down lascivious pathways. But there was something to be said about her sister's suggestion — already the past couple of months had yielded a concert, an opera, an art exhibition and a New Year's Eve party. Oh, and a whole trip to Venice. Definitely a ratcheting up of her leisure activities compared to the rest of last year.
"I can assure you that the positive influence exerted by your lovely sister far exceeds any that I could have in return."
"Oh, I don't know," Emmy said. "I think Venice evens out the balance pretty well."
"If you're willing to forgive my behavior on our return..." Eric said, grimacing."When I turned into a complete asshole."
"Truer words were never spoken," Emmy opined. "But you've made amends since then."
"You know," she said turning to her sister, "I think we're turning into relationship bores. Sorry about that..."
"Actually, it's quite fascinating to see the two of you interact. And it's been a while since I've been the third wheel on one of your dates."
"Oh my God — you're thinking of my junior year of high school, aren't you?”
"Yup, when you used to 'babysit'," Anna said, making air quotes, "with that jock you used to date, what was his name?"
Emmy facepalmed.
"Johnny Cooper?"
"That's the one. You'd put me in front of the TV, go to your room and absolutely forbid me to disturb you, on pain of death."
"Oh, please, spare me the details," Emmy groaned from between her fingers.
"It's okay, I've forgiven you," Anna said cheerfully. "Now, how about we sit down and you tell me more about that California trip of yours, and how you freed your brother from the Taliban?”
The evening and the dinner turned out to be a success, both on the food front and as a social occasion, and Eric and Anna hit it off better than Emmy could have ever hoped for, even after their friendly vibe on New Year’s Eve. He was genuinely interested in Anna's arcane mathematical studies, although he admitted readily that he could barely wrap his mind around the basic concept of her PhD (which was already more than Emmy could do). Anna, in turn, quizzed him on his Chinese ambitions over coffee, and especially his plans to erect environmentally sustainable buildings in Shanghai.
"You're not as bad a capitalist as Gina makes you out to be," Anna said at one point, and Emmy