Page 2 of How to Lose a Lass

"Fine, I give up. Hide out in your little apartment and be miserable."

Tara had invited me to the wedding too, but my boss is sending me to Florida this weekend for a conference about how to respond to and help customers recover from home emergencies. I'd love to watch my sweet little cousin tie the knot for the second time. Blake is a good guy, unlike Tara's first husband. At least Calli hasn't married a louse like me and Tara had both done, accidentally. We're bad role models for marriage, and maybe that's why Calli has been hesitant to date, much less get into a serious relationship.

I yawn loudly.

"Fine, Gav, I get the point," Calli says with a laugh. "Go to bed. And have fun at that conference."

"Oh, yeah. Seminars about septic system restoration are always a hoot."

"Maybe you should have a one-night stand, just to get some action."

I swing the phone away from me, staring at it like the thing sprouted a set of devil horns. Yeah, I'm kind of obsessed with hell references today. "Calli Bethany Douglas, what in the world has gotten into you? My sweet baby sister would never suggest I should have a fling with a stranger."

"Sorry. I'm just worried about you."

"And I'm worried about you, C."

My sister sighs. "Quite a pair, aren't we?"

"Yep. Mom and Dad must be rolling over in their graves." I rub my eyes and yawn. "Better get some sleep, Calli. You've got the big wedding tomorrow."

"Good night, Gavin."

We hang up, and I drag my body over to the bed, collapsing onto it without bothering to pull the covers back or undress. Okay, I might be slightly depressed. I'll get over it. If I could recover from the shock of our parents dying in a car accident, then I can shake off this malaise too.

The next day, I fly to Florida. My sister is in Chicago this week, for Tara's wedding, but she finds time to call me and pester me about "getting back out there" so I can find my "soul mate." I tell her, "I'll do it when you do." She laughs, and that's how I know she'll be fine. Maybe Calli really will meet a guy at the wedding. Tara and Blake know lots of people, so it isn't out of the realm of possibility. Our cousin would love to find a boyfriend for Calli.

And I want both of them to be happy. They're all the family I've got.

In the evening, I enjoy dinner alone in my little hotel room. Then I try to call my sister, but she doesn't answer. Probably still hung over from the wedding reception. Nah, Calli doesn't like to drink. Maybe she spent the night with some guy. That thought does not make me feel any better. I wanted her to date, not sleep around.

After watching a bad movie on TV, I try again to get hold of Calli, but her phone goes straight to voice mail. So, I give in and leave a message. "Hey, Calli, it's me. How was the wedding bash? Tara texted me some pictures from the big event, so I know she looked gorgeous in her wedding dress. But she didn't send any pictures of you. Send some, hey? Then I'll feel like I kind of was there after all. Talk to ya later, C."

On the last day of the conference, I skip all the events and take a walk along the beach instead. The warmth of the sun feels good on my face, and I tip my head back to enjoy it. Maybe life isn't so bad after all. Three hot girls stroll past me, all wearing tiny string bikinis. They give me appreciative looks.

Yeah, I've still got it.

A few minutes later, those ladies invite me to join them at the bonfire they and their male friends had set up on the beach. They turn out to be a bunch of really nice people, and hanging out with them reminds me how good life is. I'm lucky to have a sister I love, a cousin I love, and good friends too.

But I'm still slightly worried about my sister.

When I head home in the evening, I try again to get hold of Calli. She lives in Michigan these days, which means we don't see each other as often as we'd like. I get her voicemail. Again. Well, she might still be tired from the wedding. I'm sure she'll call sooner or later. Tara is on her honeymoon, and I don't want to bother her. But after ten days of not hearing from Calli, I know something is up. Since I won't be able to relax until I banish this bad feeling, I break my vow not to bother Tara and call her. She and Blake are on Hawaii time, which must be about five hours earlier. Yeah, she won't be mad that I'm harassing her.

I will find out what my sister is hiding.

"Gavin? Why are you calling? Blake and I are on the beach toasting our naked bodies in the sun."

I wince hard enough that I might've popped a few veins. "Jeez, Tara, ever hear of too much information?"

"That's what you get when you interrupt my steamy honeymoon."

"Listen, I'm seriously worried about Calli. Haven't heard from her in almost two weeks, and she doesn't answer when I call."

Tara laughs in a way that she must hope will convince me that nothing's wrong.

Instead, it pricks my intuition big time. "Tell the truth, Tara. I know you know something. So, start talking."

"Well, um..." She shifts around on whatever chair she's lying on. "I suppose it's okay to tell you, since Calli never swore me to secrecy."

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