Page 78 of Return to Us
She drops the shirt she was folding, glaring at me. “Are you kidding? I was stuck in a storm! I didn’t bail on her, and I swear to God, Grayson Parkerson, if you even insinuated that to her, I’ll beat you to within an inch of your life.”
My sister, who weighs a whole buck twenty, couldn’t do anything, but the look she’s giving me does inject a healthy dose of fear.
“I would never.”
Her heavy breath falls from her lips in a rush. “Good. I’m sorry I can’t take her. You know I love having her.”
“What plans do you have?” I ask.
“None of your business. What plans do you have?”
“None of your business,” I echo.
Stella turns, eyes assessing me in a way that makes me feel as if she could read my mind. “How did things go with Jessica and Amelia?”
Oh, how I hate siblings. “Fine.”
“That’s good. Anything happen?”
“Nope.”
We kissed, we got interrupted, and we aren’t telling anyone that.
“That’s good. I’m thinking of inviting her to come tonight.”
I clench my jaw and refuse to say anything. My sister is goading me, and I have to play the part right. “I’m sure she’d like that.”
She nods. “Yeah, she hasn’t really gotten to go out much or meet anyone. I can’t imagine she has much of a dating life.”
“I didn’t know you were so interested in her love life.”
Stella grins. “I’m not, but us girls in these small towns have to help one another out.”
“Is that what your plans are tonight?” I ask.
My sister stands and grabs my face in her hands. “I love you, but it’s none of your business.”
My grandmother used to squish my damn cheeks, which is who she learned it from, and I still hate it. “One night. I’m just asking you this once.” She breathes heavily through her nose, and I know I’m going to have to give her something. “Jess and I . . . well, we need to talk.”
“Talk?”
“Yes.” There will be talking, lots of dirty talk as I strip her naked.
“Fine. I’ll cancel my plans and watch my niece.” I go to say something, but she points her finger in my face. “But I don’t want to hear shit when I ask for a favor in return.”
I raise my hands. “Fine, fine. I won’t give you crap later on.”
“I regret this already. You’re the worst of the Parkerson boys. You could talk a penguin into buying snow.”
“You’re the best sister I have.”
“I’m theonlysister you have.”
I head to the front door and she follows. I’m standing on the other side of the threshold, ever so grateful that my parents didn’t stop at Alexander and gave us Oliver and Stella.
I kiss her temple. “Which makes you the best.”
“Yeah, yeah, go away so I can call this guy and not get laid tonight.”
