The other thing sending anxious waves through me, is how that conversation changed things between us.Ifit changed things between us.
I love having Rosie as my roommate—as my friend. There’s something so special about her, her drive and her tenacity, thatfeels inspiring. Since being around her, I’ve seen how much more there is to life.
There’s another side to that I’ve increasingly tried to ignore. The one that gets distracted by the bright gleam of her smile and her fluttering eyelashes while she talks. Those things don’t feel like friendly observations.
I don’t want to overthink every interaction between us. I hate teetering between what should be right for our friendship, and what feels real and right in front of me.
I’m trying to drown out the wanton voice in my head telling me to do what my heart says, but it gets harder to ignore. I give into what feels right. Get Rosie her favorite snack, bump her foot under the table, steal sneaking glances when I think no one else is looking.
My nerves are on edge. Rosalie smiles at me every time our eyes meet and the vibe around the table is friendly and welcoming. Even Derek—who felt intimidating when he first arrived—is becoming easy to be around.
But I can’t relax right now. Not when the woman who brings light to the world is leaning over me and conspiring with my sister.
“Shut up. You have to show those to me one day.” Rosie giggles with Billie, and I groan.
“She really doesn’t.”
“Don’t be embarrassed. Lots of teenage boys give themselves botched haircuts. I just have pictures.”
“I wasn’t a teenager. I was eleven.”
“Same thing.”
I rub my temples. Rosie’s laugh is usually so soothing, especially after a day of second-guessing myself and mentally preparing for the worst, but mixed with my little sister’s, I know it just means trouble.
They had minimal interactions during the first hour of the night. It was a game of Never Have I Ever that really got them going. Now they’re sharing trade secrets—some at my expense—and it’s almost like I’m not here.
The two girls I care about most in the world are connecting and getting along, but at what cost?
“Rosie.” Liliana breaks the trance they’re in, and I don’t think I’ve been so grateful to her. “Come with me to the bathroom?”
In what feels like a flash, Liliana and Rosie are excusing themselves from the table, shuffling around chairs, and heading out of eyesight.
And ear shot.
“Oh my gosh.” Billie’s hand squeezes my wrist. I try to shake her off, but her hold is as stern as the look in her eye. “I love Rosie so much.”
For a moment, her grip doesn’t feel so tight.
Grant laughs across the table, and Derek takes another sip of his drink.
“I’m serious.” My sister only lets go to lock her fingers together and hold them under her chin. With one of the most serious expressions I’ve ever seen on her face, she keeps her eyes pointed at me. “You have to marry her.”
“What?”
I’m not eating anything, but something still lodges itself in my throat. I cough and scratch at my neck, but Billie doesn’t seem the least bit concerned.
“You have to. Grant is going to marry Liliana, right?”
My brother nods simply, like it’s the easiest question in the world. “No doubt.”
“See? I need them both as sisters. So, chop chop.” The sound of her hands clapping together reverberates around my ear drums. “I don’t know how you’re going to pull it off, but you need to win her over.”
I wince.
“What does that mean?”
Billie’s signature grin—half-turned, that seems innocent on the surface, but really means she’s going to do something mischievous—paints across her face. It’s the number one indicator she’s going to poke fun and give me shit, because that’s what little sisters do.
