I felt kind of bad for him and ended up kissing his cheek and promising that one day he’ll meet a girl who will steal his heart.
“But it’s not me. It never will be, okay? So just… move on. And try to practice the art of not ogling girls.”
He glanced up, his face bunching with confusion. “What does ogling mean?”
“Staring at people in a way that makes them feel like a piece of meat. I have a head, a heart, a brain… and they all work. So start showing me a little respect, okay?”
His eyes popped wide with worry. “I didn’t mean to not respect you. I really like you, Zoey. Please don’t be mad at me.”
With another sigh, I promised him I wasn’t. “But I will be if you don’t show a little self-control. You’re eight, you shouldn’t even be interested in eyeing up girls yet.”
And now he’s nine, and even though I haven’t sensed him checking me out since I got here, he’s still got this dopey smile on his face.
Ugh—the older he gets, the more aware he’ll become and the harder this will be. All I can hope is that some sweet girl will come along and steal his heart before I have to give himthe hard wordagain.
At least if anything happens this weekend, I can tell him I have a boyfriend now. Well, he’s notactuallymy boyfriend, but the way things are heading, he soon might be.
Curry.
His name makes my lips twitch, and as I stare at my siblings and Dom, I realize I could get them to help me out.
Checking over my shoulder, I then lean in and whisper, “I need to check my phone. All the adults are downstairs right now. The only ones not accounted for are your parents.” I look at Dom. “So, do you think you guys can stand guard for me? If anyone comes up the stairs or a door opens on this hallway, you gotta let me know.”
Cole crosses his arms, looking all business as he narrows his eyes at me. “What do we get for our services?”
I roll my eyes as Logan jumps all over this.
“It’s pretty risky, Zo. I think we’re gonna have to demand two empties of the dishwasher, plus a room tidy.”
“Your room?” I balk at them. “Forget it. That place is a cesspit.”
“What’s a cesspit?” Dom asks.
“A really gross, disgusting, smelly place.”
Dom laughs. “There’s no way my mom would let me get away with that.”
“Our mom doesn’t either,” Cole argues before glaring at me. “Which is why our room is awesome, and if you want our help, you’re gonna have to agree to tidying it.”
“Including dusting and vacuuming,” Logan adds.
Someone’s voice carries up from the stairwell, and I whip a look over my shoulder before growling, “Okay, fine. Two dishwashers and one room. Done.”
“And what are you gonna give Dom?” Logan points over his shoulder.
Dom blushes and shakes his head. “She doesn’t have to give me anything. I’ll do guard duty for free.”
“Your loss, bro.” Logan slaps Dom’s chest with the back of his hand.
“Come on, guys.” Cole tips his head, leading the way like he always does.
“Thank you,” I whisper, ducking past him and into our parents’ room while the boys set up post on either side of the door and Dom keeps watch at the top of the stairs.
Cole’s instructing them on where to stand and what call to use if they see movement.
My lips twitch with amusement, listening to him acting like the head of security for some big-wig politician or something. Honestly.
Running around the side of the bed, I dive for Dad’s bag. He slipped my phone into his back pocket when he took it off me, but surely he’s transferred it into?—
