Page 35 of My December Darling

She continues, “When I saw you and Luke hitting it off, at first, I was excited because I’ve always wanted you two to get along, but then reality sunk in, and I got worried about what could happen if you tworeallyhit it off. If you get what I mean.”

“I do, but I’m the last thing you should be worrying about.”

“You’re not a thing. You’re my sister, and I care about your happiness, which is why I’m saying sorry.”

“I appreciate the thought but?—”

“But nothing. If our roles were reversed, you wouldn’t want me to be unhappy, right?”

“Of course not, but this isn’t the same?—”

She interrupts me again. “Yes it is. Your happiness is equally as important as mine.”

“I am happy.” I emphasize.

She hits me with a look that makes me feel like she doesn’t entirely believe what I’m saying. “Does it make you happy to know that Luke bought the Galactic Command Base solely because he wanted to build it with you?”

My eyes widen.

“Or does it make you happy to hear that he talked to me about how he is interested in you?” She asks when I don’t answer.

My heart misses a beat.

“That look right there is why you shouldn’t stay away from Luke because of my irrational fears.”

“They’re not irrational.” Especially not when I have the same ones.

“You’re both adults who can handle your own shit, and you owe it to yourself to at least give him a shot, right? Even if it leads to nothing but awkward silence whenever you two hang out with us.”

“Are you supposed to be convincing me to give him a chance or reminding me why I should stay away from him?

She laughs. “I’m only giving you the worst-case scenario while hoping for the best.”

“And what’s the best?”

She shoots me a smile. “That’s up to you to decide.”

11

LUKE

When Gaby’s first idea of texting Catalina about the Galactic Command Base LEGO set didn’t lead to promising results, seeing as Catalina didn’t take the bait, Aiden’s fiancée decided to kick things up a notch by having a conversation with her sister and inviting her over for dinner at our place. She uses Aiden’s cooking as an incentive, and Catalina agrees just like we thought she would.

I’ve never met a single person who could say no to a meal prepared by Aiden because he is one of the best cooks around. After having him help me meal-prep for the last year, I’ll be stuck fending for myself in the kitchen once he moves out, which is one of the many reasons why I’ll miss sharing a place with him.

Think happy thoughts, I tell myself while helping Aiden wrap up the finishing touches on his mom’s lasagna recipe.

“That smells so good.” Gaby’s eyes light up at the casserole dish being placed on the small, round table in our makeshift dining room. The cheese is a perfect shade of golden yellowwhile the sauce bubbles beneath the surface, making my mouth water.

Aiden takes a photo of his handiwork. “My mom always said the way to a woman’s heart is through her stomach.”

“Thank God I can bake then or else I’d be screwed,” I say, thinking of when he put me in charge of the Thanksgiving side dishes last month and I failed miserably.

He gives me a once-over look. “I mean, you’re not theworstcook out there.”

“Thanks, man. I appreciate the honesty.”

He shrugs with a smile. “If things with Catalina go well, maybe she can teach you a thing or two.”

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