Fireworks (True North, #6)

by Sarina Bowen

“How come you’re the only single Rossi?” Her blue eyes study me. Because I was waiting for you.

“You should try their award-winner. It’s called Audrey.” “It’s that good, huh?” “It’s a great beverage,” he agrees, his brown eyes sparkling. “And some would call it inspirational.”

“I love tiramisu!” my mother gasps. But what she really means is, How many grandchildren will you give me?

Some things are true whether it’s convenient or not.” I count them up on the fingers of one hand, held out in front of her. “Global warming. Neurotic families. I accidentally bought whole bean coffee instead of ground. So we can’t make coffee this morning after all. Four—your stepsister is a flake who’s doing things the hard way. And Five—I loved you from the first day I met you. That’s never going away.”

“May all your cards be aces.”

A bricklayer couldn’t be called in to work remotely on his vacation days. Maybe I should be a bricklayer.

Zara studies me. “Still not seeing the problem here. Aside from putting Jill into a time warp, who cares?” “Jill cares! I haven’t returned her texts in a few weeks.” My sister puts down her pencil. “Her texts? Why was she texting you?” “To arrange the next book club meeting.” Shit. I’d just assumed my sister already knew all my shenanigans.

“He’s embarrassed to throw me out. He’s worried about karma.” She rolls her eyes. “Men, Raffie. They’re all children.”