She was teasing. Wee smartarse. I always thought because of our different coloring, we didn’t really look too much alike, but as she got older, I could see the resemblance.
Callan must have thought so, too, because he murmured, “Christ, she’s your dark-haired mini me.”
Snorting, I strode farther into the kitchen. “Callan, this is my wee sister, Elle. Elle, Callan … my …” Oh, we hadn’t discussed that far. Aye, we’d agreed to dating for real, but were we using titles? I didn’t want to scare Callan off.
“Boyfriend,” Callan offered, shooting me a knowing, cocky smirk. “I’m Beth’s boyfriend.”
I bit back a giddy grin, but my sister saw it. “Oh, you’ve got it bad, huh?”
Callan laughed as I glared. “Hush you. What are you cooking?”
“I’m making us fajitas!” Elle waved us over and said to Callan, “You should know I’m the only cook among my siblings, so if you’re looking for a girlfriend to feed you, I’d keep looking.”
Wee brat. “He almost killed me with a curry, so he’d be a hypocrite to leave me for that.”
Callan sighed. “I’m never going to live that down, am I?”
“Too much spice?” Elle asked as she returned to the stove.
“Something like that,” I snorted. “Drink?”
He nodded, but I noted him taking in the expansive and well-kitted-out kitchen. My parents’ kitchen was the stuff of dreams with its Aga stove, multiple ovens, modern farmhouse cupboards, Belfast sink, and huge island with a marble waterfall countertop. Brass accents in the taps and handles added an extra touch of class. It was exactly the kind of kitchen I wanted when I was a proper grown-up.
“So, Callan, what’s it like to make a living kicking a ball down a field?” Elle asked as I set a drink in front of myboyfriendand sat next to him at the island.
“Elle!”
My wee sister grinned cheekily as she moved about the room, putting tortillas into the warming oven. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way. I might consider a career in professional women’s football, that’s all.”
I turned to Callan, who was chuckling. “She’s not lying. Elle wants to be a million things when she grows up.”
“When?” She quirked an eyebrow. “I’m sorry, but I’m the youngest and the most mature out of the lot of you.”
“Aww, it’s cute you think so.”
My sister shot me a dark look as she set out salad, guacamole, salsa, cheese, and sour cream. Grumbles awoke in my belly, and I felt a pang of gratitude despite her current glowering. Elleknew I was bringing Callan over this evening, and she also knew Mexican was my favorite.
“Well?” Elle stared at our guest. “What’s it like? Football?”
“It’s hard work. We train every day.”
“He’s not kidding. He has abs of steel,” I told her, swiping some cheese. “And stamina for days.”
Callan choked on a sip of sparkling water and shot me a wide-eyedWhat the fuck?look.
I shrugged because Elle didn’t understand my meaning.
“I know you’re talking about sex, you know, and gross.”
Oh shit.I kept forgetting she wasn’t ten anymore. “Sorry.” I grimaced sheepishly.
“Do you like being famous?” Elle asked Callan.
“Am I famous?”
“I knew who you were when Beth told us she was seeing you.” A slight flush hit my sister’s cheeks as she turned away.
I planted my chin in my palm, watching her duck her head with uncharacteristic shyness. Did Elle have a crush on my boyfriend? “Interesting,” I murmured.
