Billionaires Dollar Series

Damn it. Any other day she’d be welcome, but on this beautiful Sunday morning, I happen to have a guest.

The kiss cam participant, as it turns out.

“That’s not true,” I protest. “We played tennis last weekend, and had brunch.”

“Nick was there.”

“So?”

She wrinkles her nose, and I sigh, knowing the dislike between Nick and Blair runs both ways. Why they don’t get along is beyond me.

“Fine, don’t answer that. But Blair, I can’t hang out right now. This afternoon? Let’s call Mom and take her out to dinner.”

“Don’t deflect. I know your ways, Cole. Let’s talk about this.” She tugs off her jacket and hangs it on a peg, her blonde hair newly cut to shoulder-length. Blair changes like the wind. “Since you’re being so cagey about it, is it serious? That would be a first after Elena.”

I scowl at the mention of my ex’s name, especially with Skye right around the corner. “Blair, please leave.”

“Okay, okay,” she says, starting down the hallway to the kitchen. “Let me just get a glass of water first and I’ll be- Oh. Hello there!”

Skye is sitting by the kitchen island with a bowl of cereal. She gives a small wave, glancing down at herself. “Hi there! Sorry for…” She sweeps a hand over herself, my button-down nearly drowning her. A beautiful flush is climbing up her neck.

“No, no, I’m the intruder,” my sister chirps. “Now I understand why Cole wanted me out of here as soon as possible.”

Skye’s eyes flick to me with curiosity. “Blair, this is Skye. Skye, meet Blair. My sister,” I sigh. “My very nosy sister.”

Blair laughs, unfazed by the critique. “That’s me, always with my nose in his life. It’s really nice to meet you, Skye.”

Skye stands to extend a hand to my sister. My shirt reaches her mid-thigh, but she still tugs it down. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, too. Oh, the questions I have for you!”

Blair grins with delight. “You do?”

“Definitely. Like, does your brother have an aversion to fridge magnets?”

I groan again. “This is not happening right now. Blair, I’ll call you later.”

“But I just arrived!”

“Nope. Elevator is that way.” She gives me a pout, but I’m relentless, and eventually she shakes her head at Skye.

“He’s always been this bossy. I’m sure that was another of your questions.”

Skye nods, her smile echoing Blair’s. “My very next one.”

“It was really nice to meet you. Until next time!” Her voice trails off as we walk down the hallway. Stepping into the elevator, she gives me two thumbs-up and a mouthed she seems nice!

I shake my head at her as the doors close. The last thing I need is the cheerleader-like support from my little sister, especially when Skye and I are… well. Casual.

She’s still eating cereal when I return, a smile playing on her lips.

“Really sorry about that,” I say.

“Don’t be. She was amazing.”

The surprise on my face must be evident, because Skye laughs. “As long as you don’t tell her that I work in the bookstore, then no harm’s done, right?

Skye slides off the chair and pads to the sink on bare feet, putting her empty bowl down. “Besides, I kind of feel like we’re even now.”

“Even?”

“You’ve met a member of my family. I’ve met a member of yours.”

I rub my neck. “I suppose that’s true, yeah.”

She leans against the kitchen counter, her hands braced behind her. “Thanks for the game last night,” she says. With her hair still mussed from bed, my shirt folded up to her elbows, she looks gorgeous. “Whatever else is going on, whatever happens with Between the Pages, thanks for that. You made Timmy incredibly happy.”Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

I lean against the kitchen island. “He’s a good kid.”

“He really is, and he has a serious case of hero worship going on right now.”

I grin. “And I’m the chosen object?”

“Oh, yes. My sister has already texted me twice to ask about my ‘boyfriend,'” she says, adding air quotes.

“I told him I wasn’t.”

“Yes, well, then we kissed in front of him. I think he’s drawn his own conclusions.”

I snort. “Smart kid. Sorry about your sister, though. I know all about nosy siblings.”

She turns around, turning the faucet on to wash the dishes. “Yeah.”

“Are you two close?”

A long pause, the only sound that of running water. “Yes and no,” she says finally. “She’s a difficult one, to be honest.”

“Older?”

“Yeah, by five years, but she’s always acted as the youngest. A bit wild. Timmy’s father isn’t in the picture, and never was. I think that’s why he took to you so quickly.” She holds up a sudsy finger my way. “You’re like the epitome of masculinity, something he’s in short supply of, being raised by a single mother, his aunt, and his grandmother.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Did you just call me the epitome of masculinity?”

“Yeah.” Her cheeks color beautifully. “Don’t get used to it.”

“Oh, I’ll be dead of shock before that happens.” I reach for the towel, drying off her clean bowl. “Tell me more about your sister.”

“She often has new boyfriends. They’re all nice, but they filter in and out, you know. And she’s just like our mother-every new hobby has to be pursued. Her current boyfriend likes cars, so she’s suddenly become a car maniac. Goes to shows out of town all the time.”

“And you babysit Timmy.”