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“Let’s go, I know a place where we can eat,” I suggest, trying to sound casual yet considerate.
Ameline tilts her head, a hint of surprise in her expression. “Pizza is fine. You don’t need to babysit me.”
I offer a half-smile, trying to lighten the mood. “Maybe I need you to babysit me,” I say, hoping to bridge the awkwardness between us.
Her smile broadens; the amusement in her eyes makes her look cute. “Fine, but you’ll have to pay because I don’t have more than twenty dollars. And knowing Cee, he’ll disappear for the entire weekend—he’s good at avoiding me.”
“Is that so?” I ask, curious and concerned. What am I supposed to do with her for the entire weekend?
She might be older, but leaving her alone with his roommate is irresponsible of Cedric, to say the least.
Ameline nods, her gaze drifting away for a moment as she reflects. “Yeah, Cee likes to avoid our family unless Dad summons him—or he needs money. If you combine the two, you can get away with a thing or two.” The smirk on her lips reminds me of those times when my sisters use reverse psychology on my parents to get something. “I was able to get away from home and, honestly, that’s all that matters.”
Sneaky, but I don’t blame her. If my relationship with my parents was rocky, I’d probably be on the other side of the country with my twin and cousins. Not that they’re there because they can’t stand our family. They had other reasons for that.
And though going to Harvard or MIT for medical school sounded enticing, I chose to stay in Seattle because of my parents. Mom and Dad need a hand with my five younger siblings. Harper, the oldest, is seventeen. Then there’s Lyric, Indigo, Lyndon, and the youngest, Coda, who is only six—and he’s a handful.
The five of them are amazing, but there’s never a dull moment with them. My aunts and uncles pitch in, too, but they also have younger children. They certainly need me to give them a hand. Grandpa Chris once told me I’m too old and too wise for my age and that I feel responsible for the entire world. I don’t think he’s right. I just do my part, like my parents have taught me since I was young. What else did they expect me to do?
Chapter Three
Gabriel
During dinner, our conversation flows effortlessly. We talk about Ameline’s current class load and her dream of going to college in New York. She mentions how her father and stepmother are insistent on her staying close to home. She could venture as far as Oregon with her sister, but not beyond.
It seems like there’s a lack of communication between Ameline and her father. She loves art, but her father insists on her pursuing a career in law or medicine. Nothing else is considered worthwhile for a college degree. She hates the idea of having to do something she’s not good at or passionate about, but her grades aren’t exactly spectacular enough to get a scholarship.
As we walk back to the car after dinner, Ameline turns to me with a genuine smile. “Thank you for the food. You were right. I’ve never had hamburgers as good as those.”
I smile back at her—somehow this was a lot more satisfying than anything else I could’ve planned today. Ameline Lewis isn’t what I expected and is surprisingly cute. Not that I plan on dating her or hooking up with her, she’s only seventeen.
But I wouldn’t mind doing this often if she starts coming around more. And so, I wink at her and reply with a playful tone, “It’s a well-kept secret. Next time you come around I’ll bring you again.” I hold the passenger door open for her. “Now, let’s go get that ice cream.”
She shakes her head. “I can’t eat anymore.”
“That’s okay. We can buy a couple of pints and store them in the freezer for the weekend,” I suggest, trying to make the weekend seem less daunting for her.
I can’t imagine that any of my siblings would be happy if I just dropped them at my apartment alone with only twenty dollars. We don’t have a television in the living room, and I know Cedric doesn’t have one in his room. I could lend her books, but does she read? That’s a topic for another day.
“You don’t have to entertain me,” she states before I close the door of the car.
When I slide into the driver’s seat, I flash her a reassuring grin. “I’m what people like to call a homebody. I usually stick around to study and do some work for my father. I’m not doing this for you.”
She gives me a curious look. “What kind of work?”
As I start the car, I give her a playful wink. “Stick around long enough, and you’ll find out.”
“Now I’m intrigued.” Her eyes crinkle with amusement.
* * *
As I pull into a parking spot just outside the ice cream parlor, the warm glow of its lights floods the car’s interior.
Ameline gazes out at the cozy shop. “Is this another secret place?”
I chuckle as I turn off the ignition. “Not so secret. But they have really good ice cream,” I reply, looking over at the families and couples visible through the parlor’s large windows. “Ever since I can remember, my parents would either bring us here or stash pints in the freezer.”
She follows my gaze, her expression softening as she takes in the sight of the bustling parlor. “You could say this is like a family tradition.”
