“Yes.” Spencer winks again with a cocky smirk on his lips and glittering green eyes.
I arch an eyebrow. “What did he say?” I’m not sure I want to hear what he said, but I need to.
When I drop my arm to my side, Kaleb groans, “Don’t flirt with my sister. You don’t know her yet, but she’s an annoying pest. If you give her any attention, she’ll never leave you alone.”
“Really?” I mimic Kaleb’s stance–arms crossed, and chin tipped outward and to the side. “You’re going to keep insulting me one second after Jake’s friend introduced himself to me?”
“Yes. He needs to know what a loser you are.”
Fuck off. I bite my lips together to keep from hurling the insult in his direction. If I do, my mom will get onto me for cursing, and then I’ll be grounded over Christmas vacation.
“Kaleb, that’s enough.” My mom’s voice is sharp as she chides him from the kitchen. Even when she’s busy cooking, she knows everything that goes on in the house. “There’s no reason to insult your sister like that.”
“There isn’t?” He arches his eyebrows. “She’s dressed like she’s easy and prancing around in front of my best friend and our guest for the weekend.” I’m going to shove his face into a yellow-colored snowbank. “How do you think I should respond?”
“She’s covered, and there’s no need to be insulting.” My mom’s face is pinched in a frown as she points a wooden spoon toward Kaleb from the kitchen threshold. The tip of the spoon is covered in white, pepper-speckled gravy.
“We should go to Kaleb’s room.” Jake grabs his gear from the floor and adjusts the strap on his shoulder. Once everything is settled, he takes a step toward Spencer and points toward the stairway door. “His room is down there.”
Spencer braces his hands on his hips. “I’d like to talk more toEmilyhere, so you two go on, and I’ll catch up.” The emphasis he places on my name is meant to rile Jake, not placate him.
“See.” My mom waves her hand toward Kaleb. “That’s how a gentleman behaves around a lady.” She pins us all with a pointed look. “I’m going to finish brunch, so I expect you all to behave.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” The three of us say in unison. We’ve had enough lectures from my mom to know when to shut up before she loses her shit.
“Thank you.” She turns her attention to Jake and smiles as she places the wooden utensil on the spoon rest. “It’s good to see you again. Did you see your mom on the way in?”
“No. I plan to stop by later today and catch up with her.” Jake glances at his wrist. “She’s probably still sleeping.”
Spencer places a hand on my shoulder. “I’d love to get to know you better.” His voice is low with a hint of a masculine rumble, and I wish it sent a shiver down my spine.
Jake glares at Spencer but keeps his mouth shut as my mom continues to hover near the doorway like a sentry on patrol.
Is it possible to still achieve Goal #2 by making Jake jealous? Could his reaction be because he doesn’t want Spencer to flirt with me? Or anyone else, for that matter?
“Come on, Spencer.” Jake’s voice holds more than a hint of exasperation. “Let’s go down to Kaleb’s bedroom and get set up.”
“I’ll be down in a minute. Leave the door open so I can find my way.” Spencer’s eyes never leave mine as my cheeks heat at his perusal. “I don’t feel like I’ve been properly introduced to Emily yet.”
“Whatever,” Jake growls while brushing past Spencer, his shoulder smacking into his friend’s as he stalks by.
“This is great.” Kaleb slaps Jake’s upper back. He knows our mom is listening, so he’s now on his best behavior. “A weekend of staying up all night playing video games and eating my mom’s food.”
“Perfect.” Jake’s response sounds more bitter than pleased.
When they leave, I smile at Spencer. “Don’t worry about them.” I wave my hand dismissively toward the basement. “They’re both grumpy.”
“Yes, they are.” Spencer’s eyes continue to dance as he drops his arm to his side and rocks back onto his heels. “I’venever seen Jake grumpy. I have to say, I’m enjoying it. When he said his friend’s little sister was going to be here, I was expecting pigtails and freckles. Not big, beautiful hazel eyes and flawless skin.”
His eyes roam over me again, but nothing happens. No speeding pulse. Or pounding heart. No tightening nipples that ache against my silken bra. Nothing.
Why can’t I be normal? This guy is interested, but for some reason, I’m still stuck on a guy who thinks I’m an annoying pest.
“Thank you.”
“He might not appreciate your beauty, but I do.” He grabs my arm, brushing his thumb over my skin as he leans and whispers, “Mostly so I can see him squirm. He’s made such a big deal about how plain, young, and immature you are that I do believe he protests too much.”
My stomach cramps. He told his friend that I was plain, young, and immature? I’m going to throw up. How could I be so stupid? He wasn’t checking me out a moment ago. Or last summer. He thinks I’m plain. Young. Immature.
