Page 70 of More Than Pen Pals

I trail behind them, feeling thankful I ran into Melissa yesterday. This situation would be unbearable if I hadn’t. Instead, I think I’m going to enjoy it immensely.

While Dad greets Melissa, Mom mutters to me, “Where is that brother of yours? Of course he couldn’t be on time to greet our guests as they arrived.”

I haven’t spoken to Randall since I left his apartment this morning. I hope he’s still coming. If he doesn’t show up, Mom will take it out on me, though it won’t be my fault.

Mom ensures I sit next to Melissa, and we make small talk for several minutes before my brother makes an appearance. He gives me a sharp look and says hello to Melissa and her parents. Then he sidles up to me and says in a low voice, “I need to tell you something. Figure out a way to get us alone.”

Why I’m in charge of figuring that out, I don’t know, but I simply say to the group, “Excuse my brother and me for a minute. We’ll be right back.”

Mom shoots us a “you’re being rude” look, but I ignore it and lead Randall out of the room and down the hall into Dad’s office.

He closes the door behind us. “Real subtle there, Ash.”

“You were perfectly capable of coming up with an excuse. What do you need to tell me?”

“Glinda called me.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “And?”

“The ex proposed to Leslie last night.”

My heart seems to have completely vanished from my body. It must have gone to the same place as my vocal cords, because they’re also nowhere to be found.

“She said no,” he finally adds.

I clench my jaw and close my eyes, and my vocal cords come back to life, though my heart is slow to catch up. “Why did you not lead with that part?”

“Sorry.”

I open my eyes as my pulse tries to return to normal. “You just took five years off my life.”

He huffs. “I said I’m sorry.”

“Fine. Anything else?”

“It was a definitive no. She’s done with him. Forever.”

I almost collapse in relief, which is a new experience.

“Whoa, there.” My brother clasps my arms. “Steady on.”

“I’m fine.” I shake his hands off.

He laughs. “You’re not fine. You are so gone on this woman. I’ve never seen you like this before.”

I’ve never felt like this before—not even close. I didn’t know it was possible to feel this strongly about another person.

“Let’s get back before Mom comes searching for us,” I say, although I’m still a little wobbly.

Randall puts a hand on the doorknob, but instead of opening it, he says, “You undersold Melissa with the ‘pretty’ comment. Wow.”

Now he’s the one with a gleam in his eye.

“Stay away from her,” I warn. “She recently got out of a relationship, and so did you.”

“Look at you being all protective of your fake girlfriend.”

“She’s not my fake girlfriend. Don’t say that again. Plus, I’m being protective of you, too.”

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