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“Do you want me to meet you outside?”
“No. Look, Becca... This is not a date. Okay? I don’t want you to think I’m sending you any signals. I’m not interested in a relationship.”
“I know. I don’t expect anything from you, but I like spending time together. You know, with the whole group.”
“Right. Okay. See ya later.”
“See you tomorrow night. Eight thirty. Don’t forget.”
Spencer paused on the steps outside his family’s home. He was helping his dad with a tiling project. He actually looked forward to some hard labor to work out his frustrations. When he opened the front door, he was immediately assaulted with the familiar noises of his sisters’ gaiety. Laughter and squeals emanated from the kitchen, along with a cloud of something white. Smoke? Was the kitchen on fire? He ran into the kitchen, flinching as something hit his head.
“Oops! Sorry, Spencer! That was meant for Claire,” yelled Olivia. Flour. They were fighting with flour.
“Are you crazy?” Spencer roared out. “Momma’s going to flip when she sees this mess.”
Claire giggled. “We’ll clean it up before she comes home from hot yoga.”
“Momma’s doing hot yoga?”
“Yeah. She’s decided she’s fat, and she’s planning to melt away her excess weight,” explained Hannah as she ducked behind the table.
“She’s not fat. And stop making any more mess—this flour will be impossible to clean up.” He went to the sink to wet a towel and wipe his head.
“You’re getting crabby,” said Grace as she entered the kitchen. “I think you need a woman.”
He pressed his lips together, refusing to take Grace’s bait.
“Really, Spencer. What’s wrong with you lately? Girl troubles?”
Ignoring her, he concentrated on wiping his shirt.
“Are you having problems with Becca?”
“Becca?” He was startled out of his silence. “Who said anything about Becca? Did Emily say something last night?”
“Ah ha! I knew it! I saw Becca’s been calling you. Does Emily know something about Becca?”
He frowned. “No. She doesn’t know... I mean, there isn’t anything to know about Becca except she’s a pain in the butt. But I don’t want you talking to Emily about me.”
“Hmmm… Maybe we could work out some sort of deal.” Grace crossed her arms, drumming her fingers on her elbow.
“No way. I’m not working a deal with you. It couldn’t possibly be fair.”
“Fine. That’s fine. If you don’t want to know what Emily and I talked about...”
“Why did God give me sisters? If I had brothers, I could just beat you up until you gave in. Four chances to get a brother, and what did I get? Four sisters. Four sneaky, conniving, manipulative sisters.”
“Come on, Spencer. You know you love me. I’m just asking for a little something in return for my knowledge.”
“Fine. What type of a deal?”
Grace’s face split in a triumphant grin.
“I don’t even think I need to make a deal now. Knowing you’re willing to consider this deal tells me what I need to know.”
“No, it doesn’t tell you anything.” He stepped forward to glower down at his petite sister, forcing her to crane her neck to look up at him. “Whatever you think you know, you’re wrong.”
“I know you care what I talk about to Emily.”
