bed, and let them watch the movies from there. Just like an old fashioned drive-in.”
Ian scowled. “I don’t know if I like the idea of a boy/girl party that includes pillows, blankets and beds of any kind. Even truck beds.”
“The overprotective thing is cute, but you’re interfering with my party planning.” She scrolled through the mishmash of photos. “We can set up a concession stand with popcorn, and nachos, and boxes of movie theater candies. And I have a killer idea for her birthday cake.”
She typed in movie themed birthday cake and brought up a picture of a four-tiered cake that looked like old-fashioned film reels stacked one on top of the other. The very top layer was in the shape of a red and white box of popcorn, with a director’s clapboard leaning against it.
“You can make this?” Ian asked with a hint of disbelief.
“I made this one,” Sonny said. She couldn’t disguise the pride in her voice even if she tried. Which she didn’t. That cake was one of her best creations yet.
“You made this?” Ian swirled his chair around to face her. “No way.”
“Yes way,” she said. She clicked on the picture, which took her to the blog post of the local actress who’d hired her for the job a couple of months ago when she was bunking at Karen’s. “The cake was for a viewing party for a woman who was an extra in a show being filmed just outside of Baton Rouge.”
“Wow,” Ian said. “That’s a pretty awesome cake.”
“ Pretty awesome? That cake kicks ass.”
He held his hands up, a deep chuckle shaking his shoulders. “Okay, you’re right. The cake totally kicks ass. It can stand on its own. No need for anything else at the party.”
“Oh, no you don’t,” Sonny said. She turned the computer screen so they both could see it. “We’re going to throw Kimmie a kickass party to go along with her kickass cake. By the time her friends leave, they won’t remember that dinky skating rink party.”
“Sounds like a plan.” He caught her by the forearm. Sonny looked down to where his hand covered her, then back up to his face. “Thanks,” Ian said. “I didn’t know the first place to start when it came to this party. I was so afraid I’d mess it up and ruin everything for Kimmie.”
“There’s no need to thank me, Ian. I’m happy to help. Kimmie is a sweetheart. She deserves the kind of party that she’ll remember forever.”
“You mean one that she’ll remember for the right reasons, and not because her older brother embarrassed her.”
Sonny grinned. “You will always embarrass her. You embarrass her by merely existing.” She patted his arm. “But don’t take that stank attitude she throws at you personally. Most of the time she doesn’t mean it. I can remember what it was like to be a thirteen-year-old girl. It’s both horrifying and exhilarating. I was such an awkward duck.”
“No way.”
“Yes.” She nodded. “I was taller than all of my friends. I wore braces. And my parents could not care less about keeping up with the latest fashions, so my clothes were lame.”
“You sound like Kimmie.”
“She’s at that age where this stuff is her entire world. Being a teenage girl isn’t always easy.”
“Yeah, well imagine what it’s like trying to raise one,” Ian said. He massaged his temples. “I could have used you when she got her first period. It was a freaking nightmare. I cried more than Kimmie did.”
She stared at him for a moment before she burst out laughing. At the same time the rest of Sonny’s heart melted at the sincerity in his voice. It was hard enough fighting her attraction to him. When he reminded her just how sweet he was with all that he did for his little sister, it was too much.
“At least Kimmie seems to appreciate how much you spoil her.”
The affront on his face was laughable. “I don’t spoil her.”
“Yes, Ian, you do. I’ve only been around you two for a week and I can see that. But I’ve also witnessed