Peter
Last night went better than expected. Even if I hadn’t planned to be so honest with Callie. I needed to get it all out there, though. It was the only I could be okay with her staying here.
Now she knows where I stand, and I’m not sure where this leaves us. I know we’re friends. But can we become more? As much as I want an answer, I know bugging her about it won’t do anything. She’s stubborn and that much hasn’t changed since childhood.
Today will be all about celebrating her first day of work. Thanks to the help from Lexi, it should be fairly easy. I guess she got up after we went to bed and left a note for me on the coffee table by my phone. Her neat handwriting listed out all of Callie’s favorite foods. Along with a side note that she wouldn’t be home until later. Something about hanging out with Eric’s kid.
If I didn’t know better, I’d say Lexi was forcing me and her mom to have some time alone. How the hell did Eric rub off on her so quickly? Unless, of course, she’s always been like this. I don’t know her well enough to know for certain.
The semantics don’t matter. I’ll have time to show Callie that I’m serious about giving us a shot. It’s not all fun and games because she’s staying with me. I genuinely care about her. I always have.
“What are you doing here? It’s your day off.” Parker’s voice scares me, and I almost drop the bottle of wine in my hand.
“I was just getting some wine to celebrate with a friend tonight.”
“Oh, you mean Callie?”
“How do you know?”
“Please,” he scoffs. “The minute Piper found out she filled in the rest of us.”
“All of you?” Pierce doesn’t need to know. At least, not until I tell him.
“Not all of us.” He shakes his head and bends under the cabinet to get a bag. “But us cool kids. What are you celebrating?”
“Her first day of work.” I call over my shoulder while trying to decide between the two wines in my hands. I wish I knew what her favorite type is.
“That one.” He points to one of our sweet wines that isn’t sangria. “Then go by the bakery and get a dessert to go with it.”
“How do you know all this?” It’s one of the things that’s always fascinated me about my youngest brother and sister. They are able to come up with solutions and pairings on the fly. This might be one of the reasons I do most of the work in the warehouse. There’s no way I’d be able to remember all this.
“It’s literally my job.” Parker laughs and pulls the bottle out of my hand before placing it in the bag. “Who do you think comes up with the pairings our sister puts on social media?”
“Seriously?” I always assumed Piper did all of it. The two of them are a force to be reckoned with. Now if only Pierce would realize it without constantly trying to hold them back. The shame I feel only now noticing these amazing things about my siblings is daunting. I let Pierce mold my thoughts and opinions for way too long.
“Yes. It’s kind of my specialty.”
“Well, you’re really good at it.”
He leans against the counter. “So, what are you making for dinner?”
“How do you know we’re not going out?”
“Because I know you, Peter. You’d much rather cook an amazing meal than go to a restaurant. It’s one of your skills. Remember that if you ever decide you don’t want to follow Pierce around for the rest of your life.”
Okay, that hurt. It’s not untrue, though.
“Fine,” I grumble. “I’m making steaks, baked potatoes, and I haven’t decided if I should do a vegetable or salad.”
“Definitely salad.” He moves away from the counter and puts the bottle I didn’t pick back on the shelf. “And if you have any leftovers, bring me some.”
“You wish, little brother.” I grab my wallet and pull out a twenty before sliding it into the register. “Ring that up whenever you get a chance so the inventory is screwed.”
“Will do. Have fun on your date tonight.”
“It’s not a date.” I call over my shoulder as I leave the main house and head to my truck. I wish it was, but I don’t want to press my luck.
The truck is still warm when I get in. Thank goodness because it’s frigid out here. I’m so ready for Spring and warmer weather after that snow and ice storm. We are not made for that type of weather.
