Page 50 of Falling in Love with Two

“Oh, I’m sorry. Now, you want my help?”

“Don’t be a smartass.”

When we get locked in a staring contest, she finally says, “I’m sorry for being a brat. Can you please grab my purse for me?”

I quickly bend over to pick it up and hand it to her.

“Show off,” she mumbles.

“Don’t be hateful,” I tell her. “Like I said, there’s nothing wrong with someone asking for help.”

“Oh, shut up. Don’t give me a hard time.”

“Sis, believe me. You’re doing that all on your own.”

I step in front of her to hold the door open, but she pushes me out of the way. As she stomps past, she asks, “Do you know how hard it is not to be able to do everyday things? To have everyone assume that you’re incapable? You know how independent I am. This shit is really hard for me.”

We walk through the front door and make our way into the parking lot.

I put my arm around her shoulder to help her down a couple of steps after she stumbles a little.

“You know, Liz, I understand that this is hard for you. You’re one tough woman. Always have been. But right now, you’re growing a literal person inside of you.”

“I’m aware of that.”

“Let me finish,” I say. “In a matter of weeks, you’re going to have a cute little baby. Everyone is going to focus on the newborn—including you. Maybe you should enjoy this time of everybody spoiling you while you still can.”

She stops walking and mulls over my words.

“Liz?” I ask, feeling scared that she’s going to haul off and hit me.

Without warning, she wraps her arms around me in a hug.

Not what I was expecting.

“Thanks, Dylan.”

“For what?”

“For being such a good brother.”

Man, her emotions are giving me whiplash. How the hell does Jack do this?

I look at the giant spread laid out in front of my sister. I consider making a joke about how much food it is, but I don’t want to piss her off while she’s holding a knife.

She takes a bite of her steak, “So, what’s been up with you? I feel like we haven’t talked much lately.”

“Not much. Same shit, different day.”

“Come on. Tell me something juicy.” She takes a bit of a fry. “I need to live vicariously through you.”

“I had a date a little while back.”

“Oh? How’d it go?”

“She was only twenty and saving herself until marriage.”

Her eyes go wide. “Damn. What was her third strike?”

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