“Cassidy? Really?” Cassie flipped her long, wet hair to her back and planted her hands firmly on her hips. “Just because you traveled the world, I can’t believe you’ve forgotten about me.”
“Er…” Nathan drew in a breath, pursed his lips, and looked at the teenager before him.
Cassie was only twelve when Nathan left, and he was sure she was about four feet, adorably cute and annoying sometimes, not growing, and could not do other things without her eyeglasses. He tilted his head, looking at her intently while wondering where that girl went.
“You grew up,” he murmured, eyeing her head to toe.
She held her chin high and said proudly, “I told you I’m not a minion.”
At sixteen, Cassie had grown taller, probably taller than Chloe, he thought.
Nathan blinked, brushing off the wild thoughts in his mind. At least his manhood calmed, maybe because he was too embarrassed that, for a few minutes, he had dirty thoughts about the woman who threw herself on him, only to find out she was his girlfriend’s baby sister… his little best friend.
“H-How?” He cleared his throat as the question came out wrong.
“How?” A laugh escaped Cassie’s mouth, finding Nathan’s question funny. She shrugged, curling her lips and narrowing her eyes. “I guess puberty hit me?”
“Huh?” Nathan blinked confusedly.
She leaned toward him and whispered, “I had my first period when I was thirteen. After that, Mom said I sprouted like a beanstalk.” She eased back and let out a worried sigh, her eyes on his wet shirt. “I’m sorry about that.”
Nathan lowered his head, following the direction of her eyes. “Ah,” he murmured and shook his head. “It’s okay.”
Controlling his rigid member was his priority, not his shirt. ‘Cassie’s Chloe’s sister, for Christ's sake!’ he thought, cursing inwardly as he walked to the nearby lounger, taking a towel.
“Why are you swimming at this early hour? It must be cold,” he said, draping the towel on her shoulders.
“Oh, it’s for my homework,” Cassie answered cheerily and shrugged. “You know… Newton’s Law of Motion.”
He scoffed, wanting to question their curriculum in school. “Don’t you just compute for that or something?”
Cassie nodded briefly. “Yeah,” she said, curling her lips for a second and then returning her excited grin. “But I also want to test the speed and compare the motion when it's warm and cold.” She raised her index finger when Nathan opened his mouth, stopping him from talking. “It’s not part of the homework, but I’d love to test that myself.”
A smile spread across Nathan’s face, finally convinced that the gorgeous teenager before her was indeed Cassie.
“You truly never settle for anything less. I hope you’re not thinking of swimming in a pool of Jello,” he breathed out, shaking his head.
She gasped excitedly, her eyes sparkling. “Can I do that?”
“No!” Olivia and Evan said simultaneously.
They entered the pool area. Evan sat on the lounger, but Olivia approached Nathan and gave him a peck on his cheek.
“Oh, please, Nathan, I’m begging you, stop putting such crazy idea into your sister’s head,” Olivia said as she stepped back.
“Brother?” Cassie lifted a brow, turning her head to Nathan. She rolled her eyes, wishing her heart would calm down. It had been beating erratically; she was scared she might have a heart attack. “Mom, it’s uncle. Nathan’s my uncle,” she corrected, grinning mockingly at Nathan.
“Argh!” Nathan groaned. “You make it sound like I’m an old man.”
“You’re old. You’re ten years older than me.” Cassie pointed out and folded her arms, looking at him from head to toe.
Nathan hissed annoyingly. Evan laughed hard while Olivia groaned, appalled at her daughter’s words.
The heat in her cheeks told Cassie she was blushing. She was glad the pool area had poor lighting as it would be embarrassing for them to see her face red. Other than her books and fancy for science, she had this fantasy on him. Her huge crush on Nathan was a secret she shared only with her cousin, Selena.
“I’m taking a shower,” Cassie muttered immediately, turning her back on everyone.
“Not so fast, minion!” Nathan grabbed her hand, pulling her toward him.
In the past, Nathan would grab her hand, pull her toward him, and carry her in his arms. Cassie’s heart pounded hard, afraid he might do it.
“What?” She chuckled nervously, withdrawing her hand before it could happen, and masked her fear with a laugh.
Nathan moved closer and lowered his head. “Wow!” he murmured, his eyes widened in amusement. “I can’t believe I don’t have to bend my knees to look closer at your cute face.”
Cassie swallowed. Her eyes glanced at his sensual lips, and for a second, she imagined him kissing her. She narrowed her eyes and cleared her throat. She knew Nathan had something to say, a habit he had when breaking the good news to her before telling Chloe.
“Don’t beat around the bush, brother! Say it,” she said, her heart beating fast as she moved her head closer to him.
Nathan eased back and smiled, tapping the tip of her nose and turning to Olivia and Evan.
“Please, don’t tell Chloe,” he said, his cheeks crimson and his eyes on Olivia. “I know this is weird… us being brother and sister when you married Evan, but Olivia, please, give me your blessing. I am proposing to Chloe tonight, and good heavens, if she says yes, we will get married this week.”