“Well, duh.” I flick my hair over my shoulder and he smiles showing all his teeth and for a moment I’m momentarily disarmed and at a loss for words. “But you know what I mean, maybe Monica would be better at that.”

“Monica probably doesn’t even know when my birthday is.” He laughs and stretches his feet out in front of him on the floor and leans back on an elbow. A dark lock of hair falls over his eyes and my hands ball into fists before I can do something crazy like move it out of his eyes for him. Thankfully, he runs a hand through his hair, removing it from his face.

“Who knows when anyone’s birthday is without social media these days.”

“Umm, excuse me, I know your birthday and Monica’s too without looking. And…you don’t know mine?” He cocks a head to the side and for a brief second, I see something that looks similar to hurt flash through them.

“Of course, I do, October fourteenth,” I answer. “The day a star was born,” I say dramatically and he puts a hand over his heart.

“Phew, you almost lost your favorite sister role.”

“Yeeeeahhh right. I’m fairly certain I could crash your BMW, blow through your savings account, and trash your apartment and still be your favorite sister.”

He snorts and pours us both another shot. “Facts. I mean, don’t get me wrong. Mon and I have come a long way and I still consider her one of my best friends but…you…” He smiles. “You’re my favorite person.”

Chapter Five

A million butterflies shed their cocoons and begin to flap their wings wildly in my stomach. “Really?” I squeal. “I’m your favorite person?”

“Easily. I thought you knew that.” He frowns.

“I…mean you’re my favorite person too obviously. But I didn’t know I was yours,” I whisper and rub my finger along the rim of my glass. “That means a lot to me.” I look towards the television and smile when I see Kevin setting up his battleground in his house. “Should we take these?” I ask, referring to the shots that are probably a horrible idea.

He nods and we do it in silence. I’m not sure if the silence is awkward or comfortable but the alcohol makes me break it. “So, are you seeing anyone?” I don’t know why I ask this question; I don’t want to know and I’m so unprepared for his answer.

“No.” He chuckles. “I’m not.”

“Not even casually?”

“I spend all my time at work or with my baby sister; where does a girlfriend or whatever fit into that?”

“Okay, not all your time. And you could still have a fuck buddy or someone you call over when you’re lonely or whatever.”