"Yes," I hear myself say slowly. "It's... still new. But it's going well."
Mom practically vibrates with excitement. "What's his name? What does he do? How did you two meet?"
"His name is..." My mind races. I can't just make up a boyfriend. I'd need to produce an actual human man by next week. Who could I possibly...
Oh no.
No.
No.
No.
Emily can't possibly be thinking—
"His name is Sebastian," she blurts, and the look she gives me confirms my worst suspicions. "He works with Charlie. Very successful,veryhandsome."
"I knew it!" Mom exclaims. "I knew work was going better than you were letting on! Oh, Richard, didn't I say she seemed different lately?" Mom places her hand on dads flashing the biggest smile I think I've ever seen on her.
Dad's looking at me with that keen gaze that always made it impossible to lie growing up. "Sebastian, huh? And this is serious enough that you'd bring him to Colorado?"
"Well, I—"
"She was just telling me how well they get along," Emily interrupts. "They have this amazing chemistry, don't you, Charlie?"
I'm going to murder my sister. Slowly and painfully.
Maybe I'll smother her with Mom's decorative Christmas pillows. Or I could push her off a ski lift when we get to the slopes. No you know what, I'll just slip laxatives into her hot chocolate every morning of the trip.
She catches my death glare and has the audacity to wink.
"We do work well together," I say carefully.
"And he's just dying to meet the family," Emily adds. "Isn't that right?"
"I wouldn't say dying..."
"Well, this is wonderful news!" Mom looks like she might burst with joy. "Your father and I are so happy to meet this young man. Oh, Sebastian. Such a strong name."
"Everyone calls him Bash," Emily supplies helpfully.
Dad raises an eyebrow. "Bash? What kind of name is that?"
"A nickname," I mutter, mentally calculating how many years I'd get for strangling her at the dinner table. I could plead temporary insanity. Crime of passion.
"He was a professional snowboarder," Emily continues, clearly enjoying herself. "Before he got into marketing."
My parents exchange impressed looks.
Great.
"I can't wait to meet him," Mom says. "I'll make sure the room assignments work out since Charlotte is bringing someone now. Can't have you two sleeping in The Glacier Room on bunk beds now, can we?" She smiles back at dad, thensnaps her head to look back at me. "Oh! Maybe we can put you two in The Evergreen Room? It has that lovely view of the mountains."
"Mom, I don't think—"
"That sounds perfect," Emily cuts in. "They'll love the privacy."
Now it's my turn to kick her under the table, hard enough that she winces.
