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 the only sister 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.”

My big brother instincts kick in, and I glare at her. “Who is he?”

“Stop it. I’m thirty, and I am definitely not a virgin, so spare me the Neanderthal routine.” She takes a few steps toward me. “Plus, it’s not like I’m an idiot and don’t know exactly how little talking you plan on doing tonight.” She closes the door before I can reply, and I don’t even care that she guessed it.

Chapter 20

Jessica

My leg won’t stop bouncing, and the smile I’m trying to smother keeps appearing.