Page 10 of Snowflakes and Ice Skates

“Whatever. I’ll just go with Mom and Dad.”

He frowned. “They’re actually going to Dad’s work party. The date got moved.”

I threw a pillow in the air and let it hit me in the face. “Seriously?”

The last thing I wanted to do was spend an entire day alone.

“I’ll take you?”

I opened my eyes and looked at Vince. He seemed serious. I looked at Steven and he just shrugged. “Perfect! Now I won’t feel bad about leaving either of you alone without my awesome presence.”

I ignored my brother’s ego and faced Vince. “Are you sure?”

He grinned. “Of course. We can get some hot chocolate on the way.”

Great. This is what I’ve always wanted. A romantic night alone with Vince. As his little sister. A favor for my brother. A charity case.

This. This was why I didn’t want to move home.

I was an independent person in Chicago. I didn’t let other people affect my mood. I took charge. Made things happen. If plans fell through I had a handful of backup offers to entertain me.

Not here.

I was pitiful. I was a loser. The lonely little sister.

Since I still had several hours until it would be dark enough to go, I watched another movie. Ignoring the comments from dummies one and two.

“Why can’t we watch a classic?”

I didn’t bother looking away from the screen to reply to Steven. “You guys interrupted my binge. There’s like seven other TVs in this house, find a different one to watch.”

He groaned but neither of them moved.

Toward the end of the movie, Steven got a call. My parents had remembered they had children and were on their way back.

“Ask them to bring home food.”

Steven gave me a thumbs up and convinced them that they’re independent, adult children needed their parents in order to feed themselves.

I didn’t care. I wanted a burger, but I wanted to stay on the couch more. I deserved this. After working part time all through college and working an internship that took away sixty hours of my life per week I felt no guilt in having a lazy day.

“You three haven’t showered?”

I twisted until I saw Mom looking down at us with a smile on her face.

“Nope.”

Steven shook his head and Vince laughed.

“Well here’s your food, you lazy good-for-nothings.” Dad sat three bags on the coffee table and walked away laughing. “You look like a bunch of kids.”

I smiled sweetly at him. “Thanks, Daddy.”

“Yeah, thanks Daddy.” Steven mocked me, but I didn’t care. I grabbed a bag and shoved a handful of fries in my mouth.

“That’s a good look, sis.”

I smiled with my full mouth and he rolled his eyes.