Only if Alice Really Wants to Go.

"I wouldn't mind you coming as my date if you really want to go but I will be working so I wouldn't be able to spend as much time with you as I would like. If you want to go and hang out with my sister and parents. Since I am clearly being teamed up on to ask you and won't hear the end of it if I don't." I said and looked at my sister and dad. Last thing I wanted was for her to feel neglected at the party.

“That is totally fine but If you need any help I would be happy to assist. I can always do makeup touch ups or something. I know I can't make it through a wedding without crying myself if it is someone I know." Alice smiled.

“Looks like you are out of excuses.” Ginny teased as she chewed her food and grinned at me. I both loved her and hated her some times.

"In that case would you please be my date for the wedding, my lady?” I smiled.

"I would be honored, kind sir.” She said and extended her hand across the table like a proper lady which I took and gave a little kiss making us both laugh.

“Maybe you can help me do my hair and makeup then. Like I said I am a total tomboy." Ginny said taking a bit.

"I would like that. If you have the dress I can totally match the colors depending on what makeup you have. If not I might have something at home." Alice smiled at her as her eyes light up.

"If she doesn't have it I am sure I might have something you can use." Mom added. Mom had quite the collection. It was us kids go to gift when we didn't know what to get her though I was sure there were a lot of stuff she never used. At her age she had her favorite colors that she stuck with so anything else in whatever we bought her hardly got used. Ginny had some for special occasions but never went overboard.

"That will work. Thank you.” Alice nodded.

"Care to try it after dinner?" Ginny asked.

"Your brother and I are supposed to be studying." Alice looked at me.

"It's fine." I shook my head

"Who are you and what have you done with my son." Mom reached over and touched my forehead.

"Ha ha. I know Ginny will just keep pestering us.” I replied pushing moms hand away. “Alice seems to have a handle on the stuff on the test that we went over now and we have been at it for hours. I would like to get a head on the next assignment before I try teaching someone else how to do it."

"Always planning ahead." Mom shook her head at me.

"Speaking of which what are you doing tomorrow? I know you said you have the bridal shower.” Alice said before popping a meatball in her mouth.

“Later in the evening. I was going to go to the park where they are holding the wedding and take some pictures so I can find the right lighting and angles but that shouldn't take long. I just don't want to have to figure out things on the fly or hold up the ceremony but we can study some more if you like."

“Need a model?” Alice grinned and twirled her food with her fork.

“You're serious?” I glanced up.

“Totally. I am always up for having my picture taken. This way I can pay you back for helping me study plus if we have time I wouldn't mind getting some pictures if that is okay for the year book. Mom has been pestering me to get a page of my own since it is my senior year and all the other cheerleaders are doing it. Even though I think it is a total waste of money but if it makes her happy and she is paying for it then." Alice shrugged.

"Ouch." Ginny gave her a look.

"What?" Alice said looking at her.

"He takes pictures to put in that book." Dad replied and laughed.

"I didn't mean it like that. I love his pictures which is why I want him to take mine but I can't see spending two hundred dollars just to get a few more pictures of myself in it is all.” Alice shook her head.

"It's fine dear.” Mom replied. “I can't blame your mom. We want our kids to have something to look back on but it is good that you are thinking about money at your age.”

“So can we?” Alice looked over.

“Sure. We can kill two birds with one stone. I can get a few shots and we can take some pictures for the wedding."

"What should I wear?" Alice smiled.

"A white dress if you have one would be nice so I can see how the brides dress will look in the light. There is a bathroom there so you can change if you want. We can take pictures in your cheerleading outfit or something else if you like." I smiled.

"Totally, Thank you." Alice nodded. The rest of the dinner we talked about wedding stuff. Nicky was off having dinner with her future in-laws tonight otherwise her and her future husband might have joined us.

After dinner I started the dishes while mom brought over the last of the stuff from the stove for me to wash. We had a rule in our house of the cook doesn't wash the dishes so it typically came down to me, dad, or sis unless it was one of our nights to cook. Tomorrow dad would cook on the grill before the bridal shower so Ginny would get to handle that mess.”

"You have something on your face?" Dad said as he came into the kitchen

"What?" I asked.

"Something there in the corners.” Dad touched my cheek. “I think it is a smile. It just looks weird to see it on you."

"Dad stop." I shook my head at him.

"Don't tease the boy dear." Mom said as she touched my shoulder. While Ginny was a daddy's girl, me and mom had always been close. Some things were just too awkward to talk about with dad. I loved the man but he wasn't the best at giving advice and we didn't have a lot in common. He tried taking me fishing, hunting, boyscouts and stuff like that but it never really stuck. Ginny was more the son he always wanted but he had bought me the camera I use and encouraged me to do my own thing. He loved me even if he was to manly to say it sometimes.

"It is just nice to see him interested in a girl is all." Dad smiled as he walked over and grabbed a beer out of the fridge.

"It's not that serious." I shook my head.

"She clearly likes you enough to go out of her way to try and hang out with you." Mom replied.

"I am with your mom on this one. She seems funny, smart, definitely confident, and is very pretty. Dad teased as he held up a beer as if to salute me. “Maybe too good for you actually.”

“Thanks dad.” I rolled my eyes.

“Just be careful and take things slow." Mom added. “She seems like a bit of a handful but she is a sweet girl.”

"Don't worry. I don't plan on rushing into anything. Truthfully I don't know why she is showing an interest in me all of a sudden." I frowned. Even if we did date, we ran in different circles at school and came from different neighborhoods.

"Maybe it is not all of a sudden. You two have known each other for years now. Maybe she was waiting on you to make the first move and got tired of waiting. You are not the most decisive of guys and you tend to overthink things dear." Mom shook her and rubbed my shoulder.

"I am just worried I am not really her type." I shrugged.

“If nothing else you could use more friends and she clearly wants that. Be her friend first and let what happens happen." Mom kissed my cheek.

"Okay." I couldn't deny that she wanted to be friends. If nothing else she'd make a good study partner, if we could stay on task I was sure there was stuff she could help me in. Hell knows literature wasn't my strong suit.

“But if she makes a move on you I say go for it.” Dad added bluntly. Dad's parenting style always was push them in the pool and see if they sink or swim.

“George.” Mom swatted dad.

“I am just saying dear. He is an adult now and we already had that god awful awkward man to man talk you made me give him.” Dad patted me on the back. “Besides he is the most responsible of the three of our kids so I worry about him the least. It's because of his two older sisters that I am going gray.” Dad shook his head as he headed for the living room. Least he still had all of his hair which was a good sign for me.

“I think he is impressed.” Mom teased in a soft whisper. “The first girl you brought over being a total hottie.”

“Mom.” I laughed at her. Mom gave me a kiss on the cheek and left me to finish the dishes while she went into the living room with dad.

I headed upstairs to Ginny's room where the door was closed but could hear the girls talking on the other side and debated ease dropping on them to hear what they were saying. Curious if they were gossiping about me behind my back. Granted Ginny would probably tell me everything she said though. Me and Ginny didn't have a lot of secrets. Some times she told me things I wish she would keep secret.