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I measure out the glycerin and corn syrup, mixing it together in the beaker while Alec watches me.
“So, Lulu tells me you have a brother,” he says, making casual conversation while we work.
“I do. Henry. He’s thirteen and an absolute pain in my butt.” I relax a little. “What about you? Any siblings?”
“Only child.” He picks up a couple of straws off the table and begins attaching them together using tape.
“Lucky.” I snort. “I wouldn’t know how to act if I didn’t have to fight over the bathroom every single morning.”
“It has its perks. As much as I’d wanted siblings, I’m glad my parents stopped with me. That way no one else has to deal with their crap.”
I stop what I’m doing and look up at him. “I’m sorry.”
He shrugs. “It is what it is. I’m used to it at this point.”
“Still sucks.”
“Yeah, I guess it does.” He smiles and the sight sends a warm feeling through my chest. “But I had a lot of friends growing up. Some I even considered my brothers. See this.” He trails the tip of his finger over the bridge of his nose. “My best friend Ash broke it when I was ten by swinging a whiffle ball bat at my face. If that doesn’t sound like siblings, I don’t know what does.”
“I’ve definitely considered taking a bat to my brother’s face a time or two,” I mumble just loud enough so he can hear.
“See.” He bumps my arm with his as if I’m making his point for him.
I finish mixing the bubble solution and dump it into a flat tray.
“So you said you have an aunt who lives here. Any other family close by?”
“Not really. Just Aunt Jackie and Uncle John. Jackie is ten years younger than my mom and doesn’t have any children and my dad’s an only child. I think it’s safe to say I have a pretty small family.”
“What about your grandparents?”
“My dad’s parents live in California. I was never close to either of them. And my mom’s parents both passed when I was really little. I don’t remember either of them.”
“Same for me. Both of my dad’s parents are still living but my mom’s died before I was born.”
“Are you close to your dad’s parents??”
“Yeah, I guess so. I don’t see them as much as I probably should but we’ve always had a good relationship.”
Alec secures the last corner of his straw cube with a piece of tape and holds it up for me to inspect.
“Looks good.” I smile.
“Should we try it out and see if it works?”
“Let’s do it.” I slide the tray full of bubble solution to the center of the table.
Alec dips the cube and then pulls it back up, but the solution doesn’t hold and he’s forced to dip it again. It works the second time and he angles it between us, then turns to face me.
“Together,” he instructs, clearly enjoying himself.
“Together.” I nod.
“One, two, three.” We both blow into the cube at the same time.
“We did it!” I squeal a little too loudly, watching our square bubble float a couple of inches before popping mid-air.
Several sets of eyes come our way but I don’t care. I’m too distracted by the dark gaze locked on mine and the way his dimpled cheeks make me feel giddy inside.
