Falling for the Ghost of You(19)

"Rice still isn't done," Lauren announces, checking the pot. "Should be a few more minutes."

"Okay," I say. "I'm going to put Brianna down. She's out."

"Oh, can you tell the twins it's time to wash up for dinner?"

I groan quietly. "Do I have to? I still haven't recovered from the time I caught them French kissing their Aiden Cross posters."

Lauren laughs, even as she's making a face. "They were more embarrassed than you were."

"Yeah, I've never seen that shade of red before on a human face."

I carefully put the baby down in Lauren's mom's room. She gives a tiny sigh and rolls over on her side—so cute!

I wonder what I would do if Mom ever told me she was pregnant? I'd be thrilled and horrified at the same time.

I turn the baby monitor on and grab the other unit from its base so we can listen for Brianna. Then I go across the hall to the room Lauren and the twins share.

"Dinner's ready soon," I say, poking my head in. "Lauren says to wash up."

Thank goodness, all they're doing is painting their toenails. Identical heads lift up to look at me.

"What're we having? It smells good," Ashley wants to know.

"Beef and broccoli."

The twins exchange grimaces.

"It's good," I say before I turn to go.

"Hey, V?"

Kylie's voice stops me. "Yeah?"

"Is it true you're living with a guy now?"

"What?!" I glare at the giggling girls. "Were you guys eavesdropping again?"

"Is he really hot?" one of the little monsters asks.

"Do you sleep in the same bed?" The other one smirks.

"No! And I'm not even—ugh! You know what?" I point a finger at them warningly. "Quit listening in! And I'm not sleeping with anyone!"

"Is that why you're so grouchy, then?"

The twins erupt in laughter. Dirty-minded little buggers. I stomp away.

"Your sisters are evil," I tell Lauren as I come back into the kitchen. "They overheard us talking about my new living arrangements. They actually asked me if I’m sleeping with Zane!”

Lauren laughs. “See, remember when you were complaining about being an only child? This is why I wanted to hit you.”

“Yeah, I wanted a baby sister or brother, not pre teen demons.”

“Ha, well, babies do eventually grow up.” Lauren checks the rice again. “Done. So, how’s your hot roommate doing?”

“I haven’t really seen him,” I say with a shrug. I get four plates out of the cupboard and hand them to her so she can dish them up. “He’s almost never home, and when he is, he’s usually with a different hot girl. It’s like living at a frat house.”

“Your mom would freak if she found out.”

“I know! I talked to Jane this morning. She said the baby’s fever has gone down, they're really optimistic about his chances.”

Lauren smiles in relief. “That’s great. How’s her daughter doing?”

“Holding up okay. The doctors are now saying he has a ninety percent chance of survival, which they’re thrilled with. Jane says she’ll probably have to fly back home before the end of the month, because by then she’ll have to replenish her stock.”

“Has she talked to your mother yet?’

“Yeah, but she’s kept her mouth shut. She really doesn’t want to spoil Mom’s happiness, and neither do I.” I take the plates that Lauren hands me and place them on the table. “She wants to come clean when Mom gets back, but I nipped that in the bud. Why make her mad for nothing, right? It's not like I'm doing anything with him."

"Mm-hmm. It's just a matter of time," Lauren predicts. "You like him."

"I barely know him," I scoff. "And you should see the kind of girls—women, actually—that he dates. I'm so not his type."

"Right. Fork or spoon?"

"Both. So, you really don't think I'm his type?"

She rolls her eyes. "I don't know, I've never met him. Do you want an iced tea?"

"I'll get it." I go over to the refrigerator to get the pitcher. "Well, do you think I—"

I cut myself off when the twins come bouncing into the kitchen. It's just as well. I don't know why I'm obsessing over whether I'm Zane's type or not. Like that even matters. I'm sure he just sees me as his future step sister, the silly babbling geek that he's forced to put up with for a month.

God, I'm such a loser. Lusting after a guy who will never look twice in my direction. Matt didn't even want me, why the hell would a guy like Zane? Why would I want him to, anyway? He's with a different girl every day of the week, obviously a player.