“I miss you, too.” I lean forward and rest my elbows on my knees. I should be in bed. We are doing Disney in the morning. I could probably talk Quinn out of going first thing, but the other kids want to go and he needs to be with his friends. “So, missing me is the problem or is something else going on?”
“I have news.”
“Oh yeah, what’s that?” I ask.
“I’ll be staring on Broadway in Enchantment,” Yvie says excitedly.
“Congratulations. When do you leave?”
“In a week.”
“That’s awesome, I’m very proud of you, Yvie.”
“Thank you. Now tell me why you’re awake. I know you didn’t have a show tonight.”
This time I’m the one sighing.
“What’s her name?”
“What makes you think there’s a woman involved?” I ask, trying to fight the grin that’s about to spread across my face. Katelyn, and how things were left, are definitely nothing to smile about.
“Quinn may have mentioned something when I called him earlier.”
“Traitor,” I say as I shake my head. I love that he and Yvie are close, even though we are living so far apart. It’s important for him to confide in her. She’s been like an older sister to him. “I like someone who can’t or won’t like me back.”
“Quinn says she lost her husband.”
I nod before realizing Yvie can’t see me. “She did and she’s raising twin daughters who are six. What else does my son say?”
“That she makes you smile and that one of her daughters really likes you.” Quinn must be talking about Elle because Peyton doesn’t like anyone right now, unless their name is Liam. It makes me feel good that Elle has taken to me. I would never want to replace her dad, but wouldn’t mind being a part of her life. Right now, Elle’s the only one willing to let me in.
“She does make me smile, but she also irritates me so much. I’m afraid to show her the real me because she definitely looks down on all my tattoos and the rejection… I’m not sure I can take any more.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I regret them.
“Any more?”
I take a deep breath and push my hood off. “I kissed her tonight.”
“That’s good, right?” Yvie sounds too happy. I want to be her kind of happy someday.
“It was, until she pulled away. I moved too fast and probably scared her away.”
“Ah big brother, I’m sure she’ll come around. Once she gets to know you, she won’t be able to resist you. I know that for a fact.”
“Do ya now?” I ask, trying not to laugh at her enthusiasm. “And how’s that?”
“Because you’re the most amazing person I know and anyone would count themselves lucky to be loved by you.”
I can’t help but smile. “I love you, Yvie.”
“I love you too. I gotta go. I’ll call in a few days.”
“Be good.”
“Ha, you’re one to talk. Go snag your lady.”
“You’re funny.”
“I am.” My sister hangs up. I lean back and stare at the ceiling. She’s been studying and working extremely hard to land a lead on Broadway and she’s finally done it and I couldn’t be more proud. Now, if I could get my life in order, maybe the James family can finally be in sync. The only problem with mine is that I haven’t waited a year – the predetermined mourning period according to Cosmo, and now I’m stuck in limbo and don’t know what to do to get out of it. Obviously my kissing powers did nothing for her.