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hippie movement, but she loved everything about
that generation and still held on to some of the subculture. Peyton
was her opposite - prim and proper to the bone. Christina on the
other hand, knew she had inherited her mother’s free-spirited
attitude. For years, she had kept it concealed for fear of what
people would say, but while dating Luke, a little of her real self
had showed.
    Toni stood in the middle of the living
room. “This place is gorgeous. I love the exposed duct work, the
floor to ceiling windows, and I can’t believe I’m going to say
this, but your vintage furniture looks perfect in here.”
    Christina ran her hand along the
velvet, fuchsia sofa, a super find at her favorite consignment
shop. Her design style, a combination of eclectic with a mixture of
old and new styles, suited her personality perfect.
    Her cousins, except for Jada, roamed
around the 1700 square foot loft. It was thanks to Jada and Zack
that CJ was living her dream of owning a loft. Zack had purchased
the space years ago in order to have a place close to the
stadium.
    “ I see you’ve painted,”
Jada said when Christina walked up to her and draped her arm over
Jada’s shoulders. “It looks good, but I’m surprised you left the
living room white.”
    “ I’m still debating the
color I want in here. I’m thinking about pulling a color from one
of the floral throw pillows. Maybe a bold gold tone. Or something
in the green family.”
    “ This place is nice.” Peyton stood
near the large, bare windows that overlooked downtown Cincinnati,
her arms folded across her chest. The building sat on a slight
hill, allowing for a spectacular view of the city. “I just want to
know how you were able to afford something like this on your
salary,” her sister said over her shoulder.
    Christina felt more than saw Jada look
at her, probably wondering if she was going to come clean about her
other life. Maybe she would one day, but today wasn’t that
day.
    “ Saving,” Christina said
without elaborating. “All right, I’m thinking that we should unpack
a few of these boxes and then eat.” She had moved in almost a week
ago, but hadn’t gotten around to unpacking much. When Toni had
called to see if she was showing up for their weekly after work
drink at their favorite bar and grill, Christina suggested they all
meet at the loft.
    “ You must be crazy in your
head if you think I’m going to work before I eat. What’s wrong with
you?” MJ asked from the kitchen. “Okay, plates? Where are the
plates?”
    “ In that box near the
refrigerator marked, plates .” Christina rolled her eyes.
She already knew it was going to be a long night. “So what’s for
dinner?”
    “ Hamburgers and
fries.”
    “ MJ, what the heck? You
know I’m a vegetarian.”
    “ Still ? I thought you would’ve given that up by now.” Everyone but
Christina laughed.
    “ And why would you think
that?”
    “ Oh, come on CJ, like you
don’t know.” Toni rinsed her hands in the kitchen sink and began
pulling food out of the grease stained bags. “How many times have
you started something and didn’t finish?”
    “ More times than I can
count,” Peyton muttered, sitting on one of the barstools at the
kitchen counter. “Like piano lessons, sculpting class, and ice
skating to name a few.”
    “ Don’t forget guitar
lessons,” MJ said pulling out several hamburgers. The divine smell
of bacon and onions made Christina’s mouth water as she breathed in
deep, tempted to fall victim to quitting yet another one of her
goals.
    “ Oh, and my personal
favorite – word-a-day,” Jada said sarcastically and they all burst
out laughing.
    “ Now that one, I’m glad she
quit because I was about ready to strangle her with all of her big
words.” MJ stuck a fry in her mouth and grinned. “Who walks around
using words like veneration in a simple sentence when she can use
honoring?” They all pointed at Christina.
    “ You know what? Forget
every single one of