Page 54 of Finding My Charming

Chapter 18

sherrie was firing off questions at me before I could set my purse down. She always claimed that my sisters and I kept her young with our stories and drama. I ignored her while I sat and logged into my computer. Once my email was up and running and my pens were organized and I’d adjusted my phone to sit just right, I finally turned and smiled at her.

“I’m sorry. Did you say something?”

She threw a notepad at my head and frowned. “You’re a brat. You know that, right?”

“I’ve been told.”

“So how was your weekend? Was Vincent at the party? What happened?”

I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms. “Mine was fine. How was yours?”

She shook her head. “I did laundry and grocery shopping just like every other weekend. I’m an old lady who needs to live through you, so start talking.”

Before I could go into my story, the door opened, and my dad walked in. He took one look at us and sighed. “If I hear one more giggle or comment about how cute Vinny is, I will take away your car or phone or something awful.” He gave me one of his tough-lawyer looks and marched away.

Sherrie and I watched him disappear into his office in silence until his door clicked closed. We waited a few seconds more before bursting into hysterics.

“Sometimes I really feel bad for him,” I whispered even though I knew he couldn’t hear.

“He cried when they found out April was a girl.” She slapped her hand over her mouth. She turned to face me with wide eyes. “You didn’t hear that.”

I shook my head while running through the scenarios of letting that little bit of information slip in front of my little sister. Sweet revenge.

“Elise Marie Benson. You keep that mouth closed.” Her force was in full-force mom-mode, complete with a finger waving.

I held up my hands and nodded.

“Verbal agreement. This isn’t my first time around the block, missy.”

“Fine. I won’t tell her that my dad didn’t want her.”

“Elise! That is not what I said.”

I waved her off and turned back to my computer. “Whatever. Same thing.”

“You’re supposed to be the nice one.”

I peeked at her out of the corner of my eye and regretted it. She was giving me the disappointed look parents somehow all mastered to inflict the maximum amount of guilt.

“Now. Tell me about your weekend!”

Easily forgiven. That’s the best thing about Sherrie. She might scold like she was my mom, but she never held onto anything for long.

“It was great! Vincent was at the party with his friends, and when we got there, Ari and I found them next to the pool table, and then Calvin got Ari to agree to play a game. He then turned it into a bet that he and Ari could beat me and Vincent, and whoever won got to dare the other two to do something. Well, of course Vincent and I won, so we dared each of them to eat something that the other person hates most, then they had to kiss! It was hilarious! Well, it was until they chased after us. Vincent led us to a treehouse, and we hung out there for the rest of the night.”

Sherrie was shaking her head with a wide smile. “I haven’t seen you this excited about something since that last movie about the magic wizard boy came out.”

I giggled and shrugged. “Yeah, probably not.”

Before I could continue the story, my phone buzzed on the desk. I checked the screen and shrieked a little.

“What? What is it?” Sherrie scooted her chair over and tried looking over my shoulder. “Who is it?”

I held it up so she could read the message.

“Hey, Elise. Can you do dinner tonight? 6?”