“Did you just pull a shrimp out of your pocket?” Luke asks in disbelief.
I pull out the plastic bag I’ve been carrying around. “Freeze-dried. Only the best for the world’s cutest kitty.”
After a week of Waffle hissing at me, I decided enough was enough. There isn’t a pussy around who can say no to me, and I’m not about to have my flawless reputation ruined. So I went back to the pet store where I picked up her litter box and shit to ask the clerk for the best treats. I’ve been sneaking treats to the black cat ever since. She’s going to like me, whether she wants to or not.
“Oh, shit,” Luke yells suddenly, pointing at the TV.
James and Nate leap to their feet as a Maple Leafs player blazes down the rink toward the Rangers’ goal.
“Come on, come on,” Nate chants.
The guy shoots the puck in the corner, narrowly missing the goalie’s hand. Nate and Luke whoop with victory, while Jamescheers louder than both of them. I sink to my knees, moaning in defeat.
“Noooooo, whyyyyyyyy?” I cry out dramatically.
I hear stomps before Pippa appears in the living room, wearing a loose T-shirt and cotton shorts that show a lot of bare leg. My mouth suddenly feels desert-dry.
“Can youpleaseturn it down.” She makes it sound like a demand, not a question. “I need to focus or I’m never going to finish this piece.”
“Oh hey, is it your 12 Dates series?” Nate asks. “The first one was funny.”
Her eyes widen with surprise. “You read it?”
“Cat sends me all your articles. I always read them.”
“Thanks,” Pippa says, her lips curving into a small, genuine smile. I realize that this is the first time in ages I’ve seen her without her signature red lip. Her natural lip color is a peachy pink—and thinking about her lips just reminds me of kissing her.
Fuck.I’ve been avoiding thinking about that whenever I can, and Ireallyshouldn’t think about it now. The last thing I need is to get hard in front of all my guy friends.
“Do you need someone for your next date?” Luke asks. “Because I can help.”
Pippa cocks her head. “You know someone?”
“Yeah, me.” He smiles, and his cheeks flush slightly. “I’d be happy to take you out.”
“No way.” I’m saying it before I’ve even thought it through. “No way you’re taking Pippa out. Not happening.”
Pippa and Luke both stare at me like I’ve grown a second head. Her mouth opens, and I know she’s about to ream me out for trying to control her love life. Well, that’s just not a conversation I’m having right now.
“Sorry, man. She’s my sister, so I’m pulling bro code.” I cross my arms and scowl at him, letting him know that I won’t let this slide.
Luke clears his throat. “Anyway, Pippa, have you seen my baby sis recently? She hasn’t been answering my texts all week.”
Pippa raises a brow. “Maybe because you’re kind of a jerk to her. A pattern in this friend group, apparently.”
“Hey, I only wanted to invite her to this year’s White Elephant poker party,” Luke says defensively. It’s an annual tradition with our friend group. Sometime in the week before Christmas, we get together to play cards, swap gifts, and generally make merry. Whiskey and Santa hats are usually involved.
“Nate’s bringing Cat this year, so we might as well invite Brinley and some other girls,” Luke continues. “Actually, Pippa, you should come, too!”
I snort. “Pippa doesn’t play poker.”
“She can still do the gift exchange,” Luke insists. “I don’t think Cat wants to play, either.”
“It’s nice ofyouto ask,” Pippa says, glaring at me. “I’ll think about it. Until then,pleasequiet down.”
She stomps back down the hallway, and the guys all look at me.
“Should we go up to my place?” James asks quietly. “We don’t want to bug her.”
