Page 3 of Brides and Brothers
Her younger sister entered the kitchen with her white-blonde hair knotted behind her neck. She was short like Camille, but her height was more emphasized than usual next to Daisha’s tall, athletic build.
After pulling out her cell phone, Amy punched a few buttons. “Okay, ready for the number?”
Camille reluctantly put down the ice cream in exchange for her own phone. “Wait, what’s the name? Can I trust this person with my career?”
“Trust?” Amy sounded vaguely annoyed. “This guy is a genius with computers. He usually doesn’t do menial little jobs like viruses, because his brain is capable of far greater things.”
“And my computer will be the exception because... why?”
“Because we’re friends. But never mind that. He’s gifted, and you need him.”
Camille sighed with relief. “Perfect. What’s his name?”
“Aiden.” Amy grinned. “AidenPeterson.”
“Did you sayPeterson, as in older brother to your soldier boyfriend?” Camille made her best ugly face. She had never met Grant before because of her time in grad school, but he had her sister’s complete adoration. Sometimes Amy’s enthusiasm for anything Grant-related was a bit much.
Amy nodded, suddenly giddy at the reference to Grant.
Daisha and Camille both rolled their eyes and said in unison, “Freshmen.”
“I’m not a freshman anymore,” Amy protested. “I’m a sophomore!”
Daisha flicked Camille’s shoulder with her finger. “What do you have to lose? Give the guy a call.”
Taking a deep breath, Camille considered her options. The list of media links she’d spent hours researching needed to be posted and her first assignment tweaked. She really, really needed to get her computer fixed tonight. “You’re right. I’m desperate. Give me the number.”
Amy grabbed Camille’s cell and saved Aiden’s number to her phone.
“I’ll put the ice cream away before it tempts me away from the brown rice in the fridge that’s supposed to be my dinner.” Daisha pointed to the ice cream in a nervous manner, as if calories were contagious if touched.
Camille hugged the carton closer, despite that it was dripping with condensation, and shoveled one last scoop of ice cream into her mouth. “Thanks for the number, Amy,” she said around her bite of sweet goodness.
“It pays to have a sister with connections,” Amy said in a singsong voice as she left the room.
Rolling her eyes again, Camille finally handed the ice cream to Daisha, who took it with a groan. She raised the carton to her nose and took a big whiff before practically throwing it into the freezer.
Camille regarded her with sympathy. “What is it like to be on a diet for ten years?”
“Lifestyle change,” Daisha said. “You, girl, can get away with temporary binges like this, but not everyone has your metabolism. I’m just glad the non-stressed you appreciates how to eat healthily. Until she comes back, I shall take care of you.” Daisha handed her an apple from their fruit bowl.
Camille accepted the fruit. “Thanks.”
She glanced down at Aiden’s number—the first guy’s digits to make it into her phone since she’d moved back, and it was business related. She set the apple down and stood, eager to get her computer working, and hit the dial button.
After three rings, Aiden picked up. “Hello, Peterson Computers.”
“Hi, this is Camille Kelly. I got your number from my little sister, Amy. My computer isn’t booting up, and I don’t know why. Can you help?”
“I don’t normally do diagnostic testing. Wait—did you say you’re Amy Kelly’s older sister?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting. And you said your first name was... ?”
“Camille,” she answered sharply, annoyed with the runaround. “My name is Camille. Now, about my computer...”
“Well, Camille, I couldprobablysqueeze it in. Let’s see, it’s Thursday. Why don’t you drop it off tomorrow. I’ll have it ready for you by Monday or Tuesday.”
