Em giggles the sweetest sound that makes me smile. I love seeing my sister so happy and carefree. “Let’s order some caffeine.”
“A girl after my heart,” Charli replies, escorting her to the front counter. I stand back, waiting my turn, and listen as the other two discuss their favorite iced coffee flavors.
“I think I’m gonna try the salted caramel iced coffee, with liquid sugar and cream, large, please,” Em orders.
“Same,” Charli states before turning to me.
“Might as well make it three.” I pull out cash, thanks to healthy tips last night, but Charli waves me off.
“I got it,” she says, pulling out her card.
“Well, then let me leave the tip,” I announce, pulling some cash out and slipping it inside the jar.
When we have our drinks, we head over to one of the small, round bistro tables and have a seat. Em takes a sip, her eyes lighting up. “Oh my God, this is so good.”
“It’s one of my faves,” Charli agrees, taking her own drink.
I barely have my lips around the straw when my sister asks, “So, did you know my sister and your brother are doing the nasty?”
If I had sucked any liquid up the straw, I would have spit it out all over the table. “Oh my God, Em!”
The other two giggle. “Actually, I was pretty certain they were when my brother called and paid for her massage.”
“Aww,” Em sings, covering her heart with her hand. “That’s so sweet. Guys only do that kind of thing when they’re either sleeping with someone or want to be.”
I shake my head and take a drink of my iced coffee, wishing I weren’t the main topic of their conversation and wondering how my little sister got so wise.
“What are you two doing today?” Charli asks.
“We’re going shopping for a bit. I want to check out that thrift store Lizzie got my daybed from. She said they have lots of things I could use in my dorm this fall. Then, we’re going to the diner for lunch so I can get some of those fudge brownies to take home with me, and then Lizzie has to work, so I’m hanging out at the bar.”
“Oh! You’re still going to be here later? I’ll come up. I’ll call my brothers and some friends.”
“Yay!” Em sings, clapping her hands. “I want to meet Collin’s twin brother and see if they really do look identical.”
Charli snorts. “They really do, but I can tell them apart. Mostly it’s the mischief Cade always seems to wear on his face that gives them away. Oh, and a small scar Collin has below his eye from when he was younger and fell out of a tree.”
“I have scars by my left eye too! I cover them with makeup, but they’re still there. I wrecked my bike when I was little. Broke my arm too.”
“I broke my arm when I was little!” Charli announces, the two of them falling into an easy friendship almost instantly. My heart soars with happiness. “Mine was because Collin and Cade dared me to jump a skateboard off the concrete steps at the church.”
“Ouch,” Em groans, wrinkling her nose. “I bet that hurt.”
“Don’t all broken bones?”
“Yeah, probably,” she replies with a giggle.
“Maybe we can all grab dinner beforehand.” Charli looks at me, her eyes wide, as if realizing what she said. “I mean, if that’s okay with you. I know you have to work, but I’d love to take Em with me to get food. Then, I’ll deliver her safely to you at the bar.”
“Oh, yes! Puh-lease, Lizzie?” my sister begs.
“I don’t want to put you out,” I reply to Charli, ignoring the way my sister gapes at me.
“You’re not, believe me! I know Cade will want to go. I’ll even call Cam.”
“Cam?” my sister asks.
“My youngest brother,” Charli says. “He and his friend, Quinn, are constant thorns in my side,” she grumbles, making a face.
