Page 14 of Bookworm

"The usual," I said with a grin. "Going to try and be the rainbow in someone's cloud."

"You're always that for me, Charlotte," Dad said then switched his gaze to my sister. "And you, Scarlett?"

"Nothing much," shesaid while grabbing an apple. "Lotte made a list of suitors, so I was thinking I might try and help her with that."

I cut my eyes at her."You're officially my least favorite ever. Congratulations, Scar. That slot used to be reserved for the devil."

"Hey now," Dad chuckled, stepping in between us, "let's leave the fire and brimstone out of this, and maybe count to ten. I'm fine with my offspring finding suitors—"

Scarlett and I exchanged a look.

"—so long as I get to meet them first," he finished.

"Okay, we're going to be late," I said, moving to the door.

"We'll also need to have the talk, of course."

"What talk?" Scarlett asked, and I sighed.

"I'm glad you asked, Scarlett.We haven't actuallyneeded to discuss this since you've never shown an interest in dating."

"Romance is a distraction," shesaid. "Who needs love when you've got goals?"

Dad nodded like that was thesmartest thing ever. "You should listen to your sister, Charlotte."

"I try," I said sweetly, "but it's so hard to hear past the betrayal."

"Ugh," Scarlett said. "You're so dramatic."

"Just wait. You haven't heard 'the talk' yet," I warned. To Dad, I added, "And hey, I neverexpressed an interest in dating either."

"Until now," Scarlett said.

I gaped at her, unsure whether to laugh or strangle her.

"Charlotte, come on," Dad said."You may have never said anything. But this whole house is full of yourromance novels, and on movie nights, you always pick a chick flick.Far as dating goes, I knew it was only a matter of time."

"So, what's the talk?" Scarlett asked.

"Ah, yes."Dad's smile turned menacing as he cracked his knuckles. "I was referring to the talk about how ifanyone ever hurtsone of my girls, they'll end up six feet under. I'd enlist your uncles' help. The Kent Brothers made a pact long ago. They'd never find the body."

"That's…terrible, Dad," Scarlett said.

"Oh don't worry, sweetheart," he said."That's the beauty of having the talk beforehand. If the boy's smart, we won't have anyissues."

Ushering my surprised sister out the door, I shook my head.

"Thanks for the pep talk, Dad," I called back. "Love you!"

"You're welcome," he said, waving to us. "I'll fine tune the talk before meeting any of yoursuitors, Charlotte."

"Love you, Dad," Scarlett said then looked to me. "He sounded serious."

"Pretty sure he was," I said.

We both laughed it off. Dad was acting like a diabolical villain, but he was a softie at heart.There were five Kent Brothers—Dad being the oldest—but I couldn't imagine them making some weird pact. 'The talk' was just Dad's way of dealing with us, his two girls, growing up.

Once we'd parked in the Chariot High lot, Scarlett passed back my list.

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