I buzz the guy in then head for the door, feeling a little guilty when I see the delivery guy staggering under the weight of a hefty box. From behind him, a small figure pops out.
The girl’s blonde, shoulder-length hair bounces as she throws her arms up in the air and shouts, “Surprise!”
“Izzie?” I gawp at her. “What are you doing here?”
“Aren’t you pleased to see me?” She nudges the delivery guy in the ribs, almost sending him flying. “Thanks for letting me hide behind you.”
He mumbles something incoherent, blushing as he places the package down. He appears to be positively bedazzled by my younger sister. I don’t blame him. She tends to have that effect on everyone. Not only is she beautiful, but she has an infectious personality and tenacity that makes it very difficult to say no to her.
After accepting the delivery, Izzie barges her way into the house.
“You should have called to tell me you were coming,” I grumble.
“Then it wouldn’t have been a surprise, would it, dummy?” She pouts. “Aren’t you pleased to see me?” She crosses her arms. “We didn’t see each other over the holidays, so I thought you’d be happy.”
“Of course, I’m pleased to see you, Iz.” I rub my neck. “It’s just… not a good time.”
“Come on.” She rolls her eyes. “The guys love having me around.” She sniffs the air. “This place smells so much better than it did last time. What have you done to the place?” Before I can answer, her short attention span is already jumping to something else. “Do I smell burgers?” She pats her stomach. “I’m starving.”
“Iz, there’s something I should?—”
She’s already skipping down the hallway, following her nose. After growing up in a trailer park and living off Pop-Tarts, a proper hot meal is still something we don’t take for granted.
I rush after her, hearing her squeal as she rounds the corner and sees Sabs, happily slurping up a thick Oreo milkshake with a blissful smile on her face.
“Oh my gosh!” Izzie’s shriek almost ruptures my eardrums. “You have a girl here!” She wags her finger at me. “So that’s why you said this isn’t a good time.”
“This is my sister, Isabella,” I quickly tell Sabs. “My very loud, obnoxious sister, who doesn’t call before she shows up.”
“You can call me Izzie,” she chirps. “Everyone else does.”
“Hey, Iz.” Luca jumps up to pull her into a massive bear hug. “Have you grown since I last saw you? I swear, you’re two inches taller now.”
She stops to flaunt her high boots, rotating her ankle. “It’s the shoes.”
“You’ll break an ankle walking around in those.” I shake my head. “Aunt Jade shouldn’t let you out of the house in those death traps.”
“Are they Jimmy Choos?” Sabs lets out an appreciative exhale. “They’re gorgeous. I didn’t even think those were out yet.”
“They’re not,” Izzie exclaims proudly. “I’m interning at a fashion magazine, and we get samples from next seasons collection. Although I hate doing the coffee runs, I do love the freebies.”
“Okay, now I’m seriously jealous.” Sabs wipes her mouth with a napkin. “I’m Sabs.”
“I don’t know why someone with such good taste would be interested in a knucklehead like my brother.” Izzie nudges me playfully, winking.
“Hockey players aren’t usually my type either,” Sabs replies with a cheeky smile.
“Most of them are total jerks,” Izzie declares. “It’s like they think hitting a puck around means girls will worship them.”
“Right?” Sabs’s eyes light up, giving me the feeling that they’re going to get on well.
“Well, they kinda do…” I smirk. “But you,” I point at Izzie, “are not dating until you’re at least forty.”
“I’m nineteen; I’m a full-fledged adult now.” Izzie cocks a hip. “I’ve had plenty of boyfriends.”
“Who?” My knuckles clench. “You know you have to be careful being a young omega.”
“I can take care of myself.” Izzie rolls her eyes. “And my dating history is none of your business.”
