“Last I checked, I hadn’t grown an inch since high school. Come on, dinner is just about done.” I led her into the kitchen, the smell of beef filling the air.
My stomach rumbled, and my mouth watered. Damn, I was hungrier than I thought.
“Wow, it smells so yummy in here. I’m ready to eat now.” Elena hung her jacket on the back of a chair and slipped off her boots, placing them by the stove. “I’m still so obsessed with your cabin.”
“Thanks, sis. I love it, too.” After settling into an office job in the military, I built myself a secluded cabin, working tirelessly on nights and weekends, while camping out in my sister’s basement. I hired help where I needed it, as I was lost when it came to HVAC and electrical work. Two years later, and I moved in and adopted Otis a month later as a gift to myself.
We caught up over dinner, the usual life bullshit, and when we made it to dessert, Elena shot me a look, one I knew very well from her. She needed a favor.
“What is it?” I asked her before she had the chance to ask me.
“Wipe that grumpy look off your face. I don’t need anything.”
I smirked. “Yes, you do. I see it.”
“No, I don’t. Just hear me out. There’s a woman I’ve become close to at work and she reminds me a lot of you.”
“Reminds you of me? A grumpy loner?”
“You’re not grumpy.”
“To you. But if you passed me on the street, would I look like a friendly approachable guy?”
Elena laughed. “Okay, I see your point. But hear me out. She loves old movies like you, you know the black and white classics, and she loves dogs. She has one, well technically, she lives at her parents because her landlord hates dogs, but it’s still her dog. And she’s adorable. I think you’ll really like her. Get this, too. You both have painful pasts and know what it’s like to grieve.” My sister said the last part softly, gently like placing a sleeping baby down, but it still stung.
I pushed it away and shook my head. “Thanks, but I’m good. I like it here, just me and Otis.” I said, my dog lifting his head at the sound of his name.
“I know, but wouldn’t it be nice to come home to someone? And I think the two of you will really hit it off. It’s been years. Maybe try one date? Nothing more. I promise.”
Ithadbeen years since I went on a date. But I liked it that way. Iwantedit that way. I didn’t do love and that wasn’t changing anytime soon. “Thanks, but I’m good. I like my life the way it is.”
“Well, I kind of…sort of…already told her you would.”
I groaned. “Elena! What the hell?”
My sister’s shoulders fell, and she covered her face with her hands peaking between her fingers. “Ugh, I know, I’m sorry! But she’s so sweet and cute and I couldn’t help myself. I’ll cancel it. I’ll tell her you’re sick or you went out of town.”
“Did you set this date up for me or for yourself?” I took the last bite of chocolate pie, enjoying the rich creaminess in my mouth. “Sounds like you want her as a sister-in-law.”
“So, what if I do? Reagan’s the best.”
“Reagan?” The name rolled off my tongue in a way I didn’t expect.It’s just a name, you fool.
“Yes. C’mon, say yes. I’ll pay for your dinner. You’ve got nothing to lose.”
“Wow, you really like this girl, hmm? So much you’ll pay for dinner?” I studied my sister, a calm, relaxed look on her face. She was being dead serious.
Elena eyed me playfully. “I know you’re going to have a good time and it’s money well spent.”
“You’re so confident.”
“I know. So go.”
“Fine. But tell Reagan, it’s one date. Nothing more.”
“Deal.” Elena clapped her hands and wiggled in her seat. “Meet atMountain Eatsat six tomorrow night. Got it?”
“Spending the big bucks. I like it, sis.”
