Page 53 of Vince
“Yep,” I agree because she’s right.
Shaking her head, she digs into another bite.
The subject forgotten—for now.
After eating a bit more, Sydney brings up an assignment from our mutual class due this week. We prattle on with ease about how to complete it. I’m a little further with it than she is, so I give her some pointers about where to start with her research as I hit a few dead ends with a few of the sources that were given.
As we leave the restaurant, I’m brought back to reality by my phone buzzing in my pocket. Quickly, I pull it out to find it’s a call from Vanessa.
Never missing a call from her, I answer immediately, “Hey, Van.”
“Hey, Vince. Are you home?” I can hear the cringe in her voice and shake my head. Clearly, she’d rather not be calling.
“No,” I draw out. “What’s up?” I ask, wanting to cut to the chase.
She lets out a heavy sigh. “I’m still at work, and we’re slammed. Julia’s supposed to be picked up by noon, so they can go out of town for the day.” She’s quiet for a moment, and I can tell she’s likely chewing on her bottom lip, as her tell for being nervous. I have no idea why she’s acting so strange. Her request isn’t unusual—it happens when a big event is in town.
“Want me to pick up Jules?” I offer. But as the words leave my mouth, I realize that means I’m cutting my time short with Sydney.
“I… uh… didn’t want to interrupt your plans, but I feel bad for leaving here at the same time. I swear everyone within a fifty-mile radius has come in for brunch today.”
Looking to Sydney, she nods in understanding, and my unease disappears.
“It’s no problem. I’ll have to run home to get my Jeep to have the car seat, but I should be able to make it there with plenty of time to spare.”
“Thanks, Vin. You’re a lifesaver. I love you more than chocolate.”
Shaking my head at the lie, I laugh. “No, you don’t, but I love you anyway,” I tease with our running joke. I learned at a young age not to come between my twin and chocolate, but I also know outside of Julia, I’m her favorite person in the world. “I’ll see you when you get home. I’ve got Jules covered, so just do your thing.”
“Thanks, Vinnie,” she says as she pulls out the nickname she only uses when she gets her way. “I love you, but please know Iamsorry for interrupting your plans for today.”
Not wanting to get into it in front of Sydney, I keep the conversation short. I’m sure Vanessa will grill me later on the details about Sydney. Not that she’ll learn much, but she’s my sister, so I know she’ll try. “Don’t worry about it. Love you, Vanny. See you at home.”
With that, I hang up the phone. Then turn to Sydney with a cringe. “I… uh, gotta go pick up Jules.”
Shrugging, she shakes her head. “I heard. Really, Vince. It’s not a big deal.”
I’m not ready for our time together to end.
“I’m sure you have other more exciting plans for the afternoon, but if you’re free, you’re welcome to hang with me and Jules. We throw down a mean dance party, and there’s bound to be an art project or twenty to throw into the mix.”
“A dance party, you say… that I might just have to see. But be warned… if there’s a competition, you’re going down.”
Her serious expression makes me erupt with laughter.
Damn. This girl.
She’s competitive through and through.
I’m sure I’ve just met my match with her.
