Page 27 of Dandelions and Smoke

Ha.

What are sisters for, after all?

“Well, it’s a good thing we’re not all living in your world, apparently, considering that choice isn’t up to you. Besides…” My lips twitch up on one side as my brow raises, and I make sure I have his full attention. “He’s already done a lot more than just see me, so if you’re done trying to control my love life—which, by the way, doesn’t actually exist since he and I are barely friends—then I’d love to go back to coming home to my normally less annoying big brother, who greets me with hugs and asks me about my day.”

Blake reaches for his keys.

“I’m gonna kill him,” he says flatly.

“Hey!” I yell, chasing after him as he charges out the front door. “I didn’t bail you out last time. Don’t expect this time to be any different!”

Right as he makes it down the stairs, Emma is there and stops him with a single hand on his shoulder.

“What’s going on?” She looks between us, concern etched into every feature.

“Your boyfriend is going to commit murder,” I announce, flinging my arm out for her to stop him.

“Um, no, thank you,” she hums, scrunching her face and sticking her other hand out for Blake’s keys.

After he hesitates, she levels him with a narrowed look. He grunts, but the fight leaves him. His shoulders drop, and reluctantly, he surrenders the keys into her outstretched hand. She smiles, and her amber-brown eyes shine with an amused adoration.

“Good boy,” she whispers, placing a kiss on his cheek.

“Oh yeah, because watching you two together is fine, but God forbid a guy drops me off at home.” I tilt my head slightly, absorbing the absurdity without reaction.

Emma smiles up at me, and I give her a wink, but Blake rolls his eyes.

“It’s different,” he argues.

“It’s not.”

“He’s thirty-four.”

“Is that all?” I hum. “I thought he was older.”

“You didn’t ask?” Blake stops mid-step as we all go back inside.

“We were a little busy,” I taunt him.

He casts me a dark glare, but it makes me laugh.

“Oh, are we talking about Chief Garrett?” Emma perks up, her butterscotch curls bouncing.

“We aren’t talking about anyone because there’s nothing to talk about,” I say, but with a resigned sigh, I turn to Emma. “But yes, that’s who all the fuss is about.”

“Aw, I love it. You two would be so cute together. Plus, he’s so tall, and you’re so tiny, it’d be like one of those cute movie couples. And I bet he could pick you up and throw you around like one of those Raggedy-Betty dolls,” she squeals as she thinks about it.

“Do you mean Raggedy Ann dolls?” I laugh, turning to Blake after she nods. “Was that another one of those Emmaisms?”

“This is not how I want to start date night with my girl,” Blake groans.

“Sorry,” Emma murmurs sheepishly at the same time as I mumble, “Serves you right,” under my breath.

“Okay, we’re leaving,” he grunts, turning to go.

“Wait!” I say quickly, feeling my eyes grow wide and looking at Blake with a puffed-out bottom lip.

He rolls his eyes but smiles, opening his arms for me to fold into. I wrap my arms around him and smile, feeling my shoulders relax as I breathe in a sigh of relief.