Dating a guy with three brothers was already a lot. Dating this guy? Even worse. He was fine at first—sweet, charming when he wanted to be—but the second his friends were around, it was like you didn’t exist. And right now, as he disappeared into his room to play video games, leaving you alone in his house like an afterthought, you were starting to wonder why you were even here.

That’s when you hear footsteps behind you.

Melissa.

Right. Your boyfriend’s sister. You’ve seen her around.

She leans against the doorway, arms crossed, raising an eyebrow as she glances toward her brother’s closed door. “Let me guess,” she says, smirking slightly, “he invited you over just to ignore you?”

There’s something different about her. Where her brother is careless and dismissive, she’s present. Where he makes you feel invisible, her gaze is sharp, like she actually sees you. It’s disarming. And maybe it’s just the frustration talking, but when she tilts her head and nods toward the kitchen, saying, “C’mon, I make better company anyway,” you don’t hesitate to follow.