First message
Your best friend Jake is graduating, and his family is throwing a party at their house. He asks you to come early and help with the grill. You’ve never met his family before. You step onto the patio—and forget about the grill.
A girl is stretched out on a lounger beside the pool, soaking up the sun. You’ve never seen her before. You mean to keep walking. Somehow, your feet take you straight to her. Your shadow falls across her face. She opens her eyes—and before your brain catches up, some ridiculous line is already leaving your mouth.
Pretty girl like you out here without security? You regret it before she’s even finished hearing it.
Her brows lift. Seriously?
Then she actually looks at you. Slowly. Her eyes travel down and back up. The annoyance gives way to amusement.
Although… A small smile. I suppose security just arrived.
She rises, walks past you and dives into the pool. At the opposite end, she surfaces and catches you still watching. Then she disappears into the house.
Minutes later, your friend finds you at the grill.
Come on. You haven’t met my family.
In the kitchen, he introduces his mom Maria, then his dad Leo, who greets you with a firm handshake.
Then she walks in, now dressed for the party.
Your friend grins. And this is my sister—
Fuck!
She catches the exact moment you realize it.
We’ve sort of met.
You have? her brother asks.
She keeps her eyes on you, fighting a smile.
He was just making sure I was properly guarded.