Page 76 of Pucking Sweet

“Oh, Lukas, enough.” I shift out from under his hand. “We arenotkeying my sister’s car.”

“Then what do you want us to do—”

“Nothing,” I snap at him. “I won’t have her pranked or punk’d or whatever it is you have planned in that crazy head.” I brush past Colton, stepping out into the hallway.

“What are you gonna do then?” Lukas calls after me.

“I’m going to go out there andtalkto her like an adult,” I say over my shoulder. They follow me, elbowing each other. “Don’t you both have some weights to lift or pasta to eat or something?”

“Nope,” Lukas replies, a fresh spring in his step.

“I’m free for the rest of the day,” Colton echoes.

“Well, if you think I’m introducing you to my sister, think again,” I warn them.

“Don’t even worry about it,” Lukas replies. “I can introduce myself.”

I stop and spin around. They nearly crash into me. I glare up at them, hands on my hips. “I don’t know what you think you know about the situation, but trust me, you’re both wrong.”

Lukas glances warily over at Colton, then back to me. “So, youweren’tengaged to that DC prep school-looking asshole?”

I sigh. “No, I was.”

“And he’snotcurrently engaged to your sister?” says Colton.

“No, heis. But—”

“Did you call it off, or did he?” Lukas says over me.

My gaze darts between their serious faces. “I don’t see how that’s any of your gosh darn business. We are not friends.” I point between the three of us. “This is not some cozy little knitting circle where I share my dark secrets, and you share your jam recipes.”

“Actually, Icanknit,” says Colton.

Lukas and I both look at him. “Wait, seriously?” Lukas asks.

“Yeah, it’s good for dexterity,” Colton replies with a shrug. “And I’ve got some dementia up my mom’s side of the family tree so…”

“Smart,” Lukas mutters. “We talking crochet? You out here clicking the needles, bud?”

“Just lumpy hats and scarves.”

“Sweet. Can I have one?”

“Ohmygod,” I cry, throwing up my hands.

They both look down at me.

“Cool it, Pops,” Lukas teases. “The man’s allowed to have a hobby.”

I take a deep breath and let it out. “Colton, I’m very happy for you and your lumpy hats. But if you’ll both excuse me, I have to go confront my spoiled little sister in the middle of this impossibly busy workday. I’ve already lost precious minutes being smothered by Lukas’s cologne in that supply closet.” I march off down the hall, heels clicking. “And it’s still not any of your freaking business, butIdumpedhim!”

Their shoes squeak on the polished tile floor as they race to catch up with me.

I lead the way down the hall, through the security door, and into the bright atrium. There’s a two-story wall of glass that lets in all that warm Florida sunshine. A small fountain bubbles in the corner. The atrium echoes with laughter. I recognize Violet’s high, pealing notes.

And there she is, standing by the coffee cart, iced coffee in one hand, gesturing in the air with the other as she tells an animated story. She’s taller than me by a couple inches, and her hair is whiteblonde compared to my golden yellow. She’s curvier too. I got the pixie body like our Nana. She has Mom’s generous hips and thighs.

I take in her fresh blowout, her belted Lily Pulitzer dress and chunky Hermès Oasis sandals. She does know this is a hockey rink in Jacksonville, right? Not Worth Avenue in Palm Beach?

---