Page 32 of A Slice of Love

He didn’t have to ask me twice.

“Okay, off to shower. You two crazy kids have a good night. Don’t wait up. And, please, for the love of all things holy, wear protection. The last thing I need is another sibling. Thea is quite enough, thank you.”

“Hey, you jackass! I heard that.”

Thea, my older sister by three years, comes waltzing through the front door.

“She is very exhausting,” my dad agrees. “Trust me, I work with her all day.All. Day, Jonas,” he whispers dramatically.

As much as my dad used to have me help in his auto shop, it was Thea who was drawn to the trade. My father made her go to school and get all the certifications she needed before hiring her to be part of the crew and making her work her way to the top. She now manages the second location at the other end of the island and lives next to the shop.

I love my sister, and she’s one of the few reasons I don’t mind being home. We’ve always been close. She’s always there to give me a good pep talk or tell me when I’m being a complete and utter moron. While Thea can come off as a little abrasive to some, she’s nothing but brutally honest.

Which is probably why she’s still single. There’s not a guy out there brave enough to handle her ass.

“I heard that too.” She eyes my father. “Old man.”

“This old man signs your paychecks, so watch it, missy.”

“I’m not scared of you. Mom has my back.”

My mother nods. “It’s true. Us ladies need to stick together.”

“See, Pops? I win.” Thea smiles victoriously, and I bet she’d pat herself on the back right now if she wasn’t carrying a box of cookies in one hand and a coffee in the other.

“What’s all that?” I ask her.

“A bribe for the parentals.”

“I’m not sure you’re supposed to tell them you’re bribing them.”

“Please.” She rolls her eyes. “They knew it was a bribe the second I walked in with a full box of Daisy’s cookies. We all know I’d have scarfed these things down on my own if this wasn’t a bribe.”

I nod. “Fair point. Well, I’ll leave you to woo. I’m heading out.”

“Out?” Thea’s brows shoot up. “Where to?”

“Meeting some friends for drinks.”

“He’s meeting Frankie Callahan.” My mom smiles widely, her head clearly already brimming with ideas of romance.

“Pastor Callahan’s daughter?”

“She’s more than just the pastor’s daughter.”

“You’re right—wasn’t she also the principal’s daughter?” Thea smarts off.

“Yes.” I grit my teeth. “What’s your point?”

“Don’t you think she’s a little out of your league?”

See? That’s Thea—always straight to the point.

“Good thing she’s just a friend and this is just drinks.”

Thea takes a seat in the chair across from my parents, sliding the box of cookies toward them. My mother doesn’t hesitate, grabbing the box and plucking a cookie out. She breaks it in half, handing some to my father. Poor guy, too, because we all know that’s all he’s going to get.

“Right. That’s what they all say in the beginning, but drinks always turn into something more. Just wait and see.”

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