Page 45 of Snowed

Maggie crossed her arms. “Okay, then. What’s going on?”

I swallowed. “I want you to make me Lucy’s date at the next event.”

She leaned back in her chair. “Lucy…?”

“Yes.”

“As in my friend Lucy, who’s four years older than you?”

“Correct, but why should the age difference matter?”

“It doesn’t, except that I know Lucy is ready for a serious relationship, and I don’t think that’s something you’ve ever been after.”

I ran my thumb along the side of my cup. “Maybe not with other people. But I’m interested in that with Lucy.”

“Wow.” She laughed. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t prepared for this. I’ve already selected someone for her tonight I think she might like.”

“No offense, sis, but how many times have you said that? You’ve had no luck finding someone for Lucy. Maybe you don’t know what she needs.”

“Oh really?” Maggie cocked her head. “And what exactly do you think she needs? And don’t tell me you’re packing it in your pants.”

I shook my head. “It’s not about that. You’ve been trying to find guys who look good on paper. Lucy doesn’t want that. She wants someone who excites her, who makes her feel something. And that doesn’t always come in a predictable package.”

“Well, it doesn’t get any more unpredictable than you, little brother. I will tell you right now, I didn’t see this coming, even after I got a weird feeling the night I found you at her house.”

“Nothing was going on that night. But I did lie about my reason for being there—no one was following her. Not sure why I felt the need to do that.”

She arched a brow. “So, you went over there to what…seduce her?”

“I’ve been trying to get her to like me as more than a friend recently. But she’s been reluctant to entertain my advances. I think partly because she thinks you’ll be weirded out. But also, she has the same doubts about me that you do.”

“There’s only one way to prove us wrong, but that’s going to take time, if you’re serious.”

I nodded, and the more I thought about the dating event tonight, the more I got a different idea. “Look, how about this. You don’t need to set her up with me. You don’t even have to approve of this. All I’m asking is for you to not fix her up with any other dudes until I can properly shoot my shot.”

“I thought you said you already made a move?”

I rolled my eyes. “I should probably come up with something a bit more eloquent than asking her to choose which body part of mine she wants to see first.”

My sister’s mouth dropped open. “You didn’t…”

“Have you met me?” I chuckled. “It was all in good fun, though.”

She sighed. “You expect her to take you seriously when you’re pulling stuff like that?”

“I’m gonna take a different approach this time.”

“I’d say anything other than your previous approach is a step up.”

I scratched my chin. “Okay, so one more favor besides not setting her up.”

“What?”

“I need you to postpone the event that was supposed to be at the bar tonight. But don’t tell Lucy. Let her show up at the bar.”

***

That evening, my heart pounded as I waited. For all I knew, Lucy wouldn’t show. But if she did, tonight was going to go one of two ways: really great or really bad. I couldn’t imagine there being any in-between.