Kris looked down at Domenico, who was sleeping peacefully. “Vlad will be back in a sec, so we’ll have company. I’ll take Domenico’s turn; I don’t think he’ll mind.” Kris carefully took the red ball out of his grasp. He stirred in his sleep and she rubbed the side of his face affectionately before throwing the ball on the table. I wasn’t surprised when it bounced and landed in my lap.

“Okay, bring it on, Kris. I don’t have secrets to hide—you know them all, and there’s nothing I am afraid of doing.”

“I can’t argue with that. Order, hmm? Thárros,” Kris said, as if tasting the word in Greek would give her some ideas. Putting one finger on her chin, my best friend gave me a once-over as if hoping to get inspired. Then a glint of playfulness shone in her eyes. “I know exactly what I want you to do.”

“Name it and it’s done, Your Highness.”

Kris leaned in, her large green eyes focused intensely on mine. “I want you to kiss Vladimir.”

My cockiness ceased to exist in lightning speed. No amount of caffeine could have made me as wide awake as I was then. And right on cue, there was Vlad, walking to our table.

“You’re crazy.” I could feel my cheeks burning. Kiss Vladimir Ambrosia?

“Who’s crazy?” asked Vlad as he claimed his seat next to me.

Creamy mashed potatoes!

“Kristen, for saying nachos and vanilla ice cream are a match made in heaven. Everyone knows that’s just gross, but apparently not your beloved sister. I’m just trying to convince her that this combination would be a complete disaster.” I was running out of breath by the time I finished concocting my false explanation. I gave Kris a look, hoping she had understood what I was trying to imply.

She did not. Or maybe she just chose to ignore it because she kept kicking me under the table while Vlad was distracted by his phone. “Disaster, Kris, it will end in a disaster,” I hissed under my breath. There was no way on earth I would kiss her brother who, up until mere days ago, drove me absolutely nuts.

“Or you’re just too chicken to try it.” Drunk Kris was maybe even more stubborn than me. She continued kicking me until I was convinced I would be covered in bruises.

“Oh fine, I’ll do it,” I hissed at her.

I shifted to position myself so that I could just smack my lips on his cheek then make a quick getaway to the bathroom. I took a deep breath as I surveyed his dark hair and his sculpted body. A wave of nerves washed over me. I avoided looking at his lips. His forehead creased in serious lines as he read whatever it was he was looking at on his phone.