Instantly, I get an idea.
“She looks like she’s close to your age, Win,” I comment. “You should go say hi.”
“Okay,” Miss Chatterbox responds like it’s completely normal to just walk up to random strangers and introduce yourself.
That’s Winnie, though. Never met a stranger in her life.
Frankly, it’s almost too easy.
I help Winnie off my shoulders and to her feet. And in a matter of two minutes, she’s already across the room, chatting up the two girls.
“Remy! Remy! Come over here!” Winnie shouts toward me as the nice lady with the Coke-bottle glasses is handing me my stack of books.
The beautiful mystery girl and her sister look in my direction, and I silently thank the Big Guy Upstairs for blessing me with the most talkative six-year-old in history as my sister.
I close the distance between us, and it’s no surprise that Winnie is the first one to speak when I come to a stop near their little group.
“This is him,” she says proudly. “My big brother Remington. But you can call him Remy. Everyone else does. Isn’t he handsome?”
I can’t deny that my baby sister is about the best wingman I’ve ever had. No way Flynn or Ty or Jude or any of my buddies could create an opening for me like Winnie just did.
A giggle leaves Mystery Girl’s lips, and I swear, it’s music to my ears.
“Hi,” I say with a knowing smile and hold out my hand. “I’m Remy Winslow. The handsome brother.”
She giggles again, and it makes a cute dimple appear at her right cheek.
Fuck. She’s beautiful.
“Hi. I’m Maria,” she responds and places her petite hand in mine. “Maria Baros.”
Maria.
Her hand is soft and warm against mine, and my nose catches just the hint of her sweet perfume. She smells like coconuts and summer and a girl I want to know.
“Nice to meet you, Maria,” I answer, and the way her name rolls off my tongue could easily become my next addiction. “And who is this?”
“Her name is Isabella,” Winnie answers for her, and I playfully nudge my baby sister in the side.
“If you haven’t noticed, Winnie here is incredibly chatty.”
Maria grins. “And adorable.”
“Remy, can I show Isabella the fountains we saw near the front door?” Winnie asks, completely oblivious to the conversation around her. “And I need two pennies to toss in it.”
“Sure, Win.” I take two pennies out of my pocket but pause before giving them to an impatient Winnie, who currently has two hands held out toward me. “But only if it’s okay with Maria.”
“Can I?” Isabella looks at her sister, and Maria shrugs.
“Sure. But stay together.”
I hand Winnie the two pennies, and she fist-pumps one tiny hand in the air. “C’mon, Isabella! Let’s go make a wish!”
And then Maria and I are left alone, both of our sisters running toward the entrance doors of the building where the not-all-that-exciting fountain sits.
“Are you new—”
“Do you—”
We both start to talk at the same time, and a blush forms on Maria’s cheeks.
“Sorry. What were you going to say?”
“It’s fine,” I respond with a smile that’s probably too big for the occasion. “Are you new here?”
She nods. “Freshman.”
“That’s cool.”
“What about you?”
“Junior,” I answer. “My brother Flynn will be a freshman this year too.”
Her smile is self-deprecating. “I take it Flynn realized he didn’t need to be here until tomorrow?”
“Maybe.” I grin. “But it’s okay. Your secret is safe with me.”
“So…you’re not going to tell the whole school I’m a dumbass?”
“You’re not a dumbass,” I respond on a laugh. But the most perfect girl I’ve ever seen? Yes. That you definitely are, Maria.
Though, that’s also a secret I’m going to keep to myself.
“Are you busy?”
She tilts her head to the side. “What do you mean?”
“I was planning on taking Winnie to grab some ice cream. Would you and Isabella like to come along?”
“We’re going to get ice cream?!” Winnie exclaims, her presence a surprise to both of us. And Isabella is right beside her. “Oh my gosh, this is the best day ever!”
Maria quirks one eyebrow and whispers, “I take it she didn’t know about the ice cream until now, huh?”
“That would be a negative.” I shake my head on a laugh. “So…would you like to come with us?”
A frown forms at the corner of her lips. “I’d love to, but I really shouldn’t. I promised my mom I’d have Isabella home by lunch.” She glances down at her sandal-covered feet and then back up to me.
“Ah, rats,” Isabella groans. “Come on, Maria. Ice cream sounds so good.”
“Sorry, sis,” Maria says and ruffles Isabella’s hair before meeting my eyes. “Some other time, maybe?”
I smile. “Definitely.”
“Wait…we’re still getting ice cream, though, right, Rem?” Winnie chimes in, and I nod on a sigh.
“Yes, Win. We’re still getting ice cream.”
“Best day ever!” Winnie squeals.
And frankly, as I watch Maria wave and walk away, I can’t disagree with her.