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to sell her on this for long enough to be able to subtly influence her, he had to play by her rules right now. No matter how much it sucked.
    He couldn’t concentrate on his work and had taken to goofing off on his pet project instead, a new and more interactive website for Tasha’s architecture business. Every time he popped onto her old site, his eyes wanted to bleed, with the bad color choices and static header. Not that he was trying to sweeten the pot or anything, but sending her an email to check the draft site would at least ensure he was put front and center in her mind.
    He dragged another icon into place, adjusting the position when the Turner Alert web link went off. Someone, somewhere amongst his vast relative pool, had set up a game night. Thank God, that was just what he needed for distraction. He clicked the link and rejoiced. It was an open call from Lila, which meant he was invited, and the chances of seeing Tasha went from slim to nearly one hundred percent.
    He saved his work then grabbed the phone. “Maxy—are you and your roommate going to need a ride to the game?”
    His sister hesitated. “I don’t think so. I mean, I don’t.”
    Max shut down his computer and headed for his room to make a quick change of clothes. “Aren’t you coming? I’ll let you be on my team. Lila mentioned we’re playing Taboo.”
    “I’m coming, but I…I already have a date for tonight.”
    Max stopped dead in his tracks. “A date? Really?”
    She growled at him. “You’re such a turkey. Yes, a date. I am old enough you know. It’s not like I’m not allowed to spend time with the opposite sex.”
    Well, if he had anything to say about it, she would still be off limits. Yeah, pretty damn hypocritical considering he’d given Tasha heck for thinking he was too young a few days ago, but this was his sister . He beat down his protective urges. “Do I know the guy?”
    “Junior…”
    “What? You know you’re going to get the third degree from everyone else, may as well practice now.”
    Her sigh carried over the phone, and he laughed to himself. He could picture her, slightly flustered and blushing red as she tried to come up with the best way to make this guy sound safe and yet interesting at the same time.
    “He works at the college.”
    Teacher was good. “Does he have tenure?”
    “Junior!”
    He laughed. “Okay, no more teasing. Tell me straight, and I’ll be a good big brother and shut up.”
    “Big brother, ha. By ten minutes.”
    “Take it up with Mom, not my fault.”
    Max hopped in his car, switched to his hands-free, and headed over to Lila’s, listening as his sister rambled on about the new guy. He didn’t sound too dangerous, although Maxine had dashed those first initial high points when she shared the guy wasn’t a professor, but a clerk in shipping and receiving.
    The sight of Tasha’s car in the driveway of Lila’s house made his heart do this crazy double thump. One way or another, she would be reminded that he was waiting for her response. He raced up the stairs and only managed at the last second to be polite enough to knock.
    Eager beaver.
    Laughter poured out the door as it opened, and he smiled, expecting to see his cousin. Instead he found himself looking into the brown eyes that had been haunting his dreams for the past days, weeks, heck—years, if he was honest.
    “Junior.” She clutched the door, her laughing face tightening into a frown, and he felt like a fool. Obviously his proposal had been so far out of line she had no idea how to turn him down. He stuttered for a second, disappointment and disillusionment sweeping through him.
    “Tasha. Good to see you.”
    They stood there for a minute, staring at each other. Then he noticed her blush, and hope fluttered back to life.
    She jerked upright. “Sorry, come on in.” She opened the door and stepped back, and he slipped in past her, brushing as close as he could without making it noticeable to everyone in the room.