“He’s our little baby.” Ellie turns to her fiancé, giving him puppy eyes. “Of course he can have whatever he wants.”
“Which makes me the bad cop of the house,” Rowan says.
Ellie looks past my shoulder and waves at whoever is approaching behind me. “You made it!”
When I turn, I expect to see Mom and Dad. Instead, I watch honey-colored eyes lock with mine before she averts her gaze.
“Hey, guys.” Riley waves. “Thanks for inviting me.”
“How’s it going?” Rowan says.
“Could be better. My mom won’t stop talking about the stupid divorce. I swear, she’s called me like five times today, and I’m starting to convince myself to change my phone number.”
I give her a half smile.
She’s wearing blue jeans with heeled boots, and an olive green peacoat. Absolutely stunning, as always.
“Hey,” I say.
“Hey.”
Ellie shivers when a rush of cold air passes by. “Where are our parents?”
Rowan tugs Ellie into his arms and covers her with his jacket. He makes my sister look smaller than she already is.
“Oh.” Ellie peers down at her coat pocket, digging her phone out. “It’s dad.” She answers it on the second ring. “Where are you guys?”
I glance around, watching groups of people walk by andcars whoosh past us. Twinkle lights wrap around trees that line the sidewalks. I can’t help but find Riley again, the small lights creating a beautiful glow around her.
She does the same as me, checking out her surroundings, before her attention drifts back to me. Her hands are tucked in her pockets, the wind pushing her hair back. I don’t want this dinner to be awkward between us.
“Are you still working for your dad?” I ask, making small talk.
“No. My last day was a week after the divorce. I didn’t think I needed to be there anymore since he left.”
“Wow, you finally did it?”
She shoves me by the shoulder. “Don’t be an ass.”
I chuckle. “I’m not. I just know you, always putting things off till the last minute.”
“I do not! Plus, you’re one to talk. You’re the king of procrastinating.”
“I work better under pressure.”
“Bullshit, you become completely chaotic”—she tosses her blonde locks over her shoulder—“and I usually have to swoop in and save the day.”
“I haven’t needed you toswoop infor me in a very long time. Unless you’re saying you want me to because you miss hanging out with me so much.” I give her a wide grin.
She pins me with her stare, and I feel like I’ve won some sort of victory while I leave her speechless.
Ellie sighs. “Okay, we’ll be there in a second.”
“Where are they?” Riley asks.
“Inside.” Ellie’s teeth chatter. “They’ve been here the whole time in the lobby.”
Rowan laughs, shaking his head.
