got the idea when I researched the organization running the Innovator of the Year competition. Ian and I knew how to build the software, but winning the competition would bring us the right partners to implement the software nationwide. Project Z wasn’t just about money. It was personal.
"Oh, he's having plenty of fun," he answered. "I don't think you want to know all the details, sister dearest."
Isabelle mimicked plugging her fingers in her ears and shaking her head. "No, no, you're right. I don't need to know the details. I'm happy to know he's not spending all his time cooped up in the office."
I got up from the couch and headed to the kitchen island to pour myself a glass of water. "I want to win the competition, that's all. That requires some extra work for a few months. I don't mind."
"He's not cooped up in his office all the time. He has plenty of fun," Ian repeated.
“I’m glad to hear that.” Isabelle fixed her gaze on me. After a few seconds, she said, “By the way, I wanted to talk to you about something—”
The doorbell rang, interrupting her.
“Saved by the bell,” Ian exclaimed. “You looked like you were about to lecture him, sis.”
“I was,” Isabelle confirmed. “And don’t think I’ll forget about it just because we have company.”
I grinned at my sister. “That didn’t even cross my mind.”
Ryker, Cole, and Tess arrived together. Tess’s eyes bulged when she looked around the apartment.
“We haven’t started yet,” Isabelle said, sounding a bit embarrassed.
“She was too busy torturing us with wedding stuff.” Ian filled in everyone. Tess immediately lit up. She was helping Isabelle with the organization of it all too.
“Hey, don’t start with the wedding planning again,” Ryker warned, “or we’ll never start packing. I know how this goes.”
Tess grinned. “I’d get mad at you, brother, but you’re right.”
All the Winchesters were married or engaged, and Tess loved helping with planning. Out of the whole group, Ian and I were the only bachelors left, something she kept teasing us about.
“Okay, well, I tried to bring as much stuff in the living room as possible. I say we start by putting what’s on the floor in boxes and labeling them accordingly,” Isabelle said.
Ryker looked around. “Okay, I’m overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff in this room, so I’m going to need detailed instructions.”
“You can start by actually putting together the boxes. I only had time to build two,” Isabelle said.
“I’m on it,” Ryker said.
“Thanks so much for coming. I know you’re all busy,” Isabelle added, and it was true. Ryker worked on Wall Street, Cole ran a real estate company with Josie’s husband, and Tess owned two lingerie stores with her sister Skye.
“Hey, family comes first,” Tess said. “By the way, is Josie coming too?”
“Yes. She texted that she’ll be here in half an hour,” Isabelle said.
Isabelle divided tasks among each of us. Ryker gave everyone a box, and we started shoving the stuff lying around in it.
Josie arrived a while later.
“Hey, why didn’t you bring my niece?” Isabelle said with a pout.
“She’s spending some quality time with her dad. And I’m much faster when she’s not with me.” Josie looked around, grimacing. She was a brilliant lawyer and an organizational genius.
Isabelle pointed at her. “Hey! It’s a process. Don’t judge.”
Josie laughed, holding her hands up in defense. “I didn’t say anything. I’m going to grab a box and see how far I can get tonight.”
Two hours later, the living room looked livable again.
“Are you taking the furniture too?” I asked, looking up and down at a huge bookshelf, already mentally disassembling it. Ian and I had helped Isabelle with the furniture when she moved from Montana to Philly for college and later to New York.
“No, everything stays here. We’re renting it out fully furnished. By the way, can everyone stay for dinner?”
There was a chorus of yeses, and then Isabelle ordered pizza for everyone. I went to her kitchen to uncork a bottle of wine and smiled when I heard someone trail after me. I was betting it was Isabelle.
“Dylan, can we talk?” Isabelle asked.
“Is this the lecture?”
“How did you know?” she replied, sounding perplexed.
I turned around, grinning. “You walk the way you used to when you were trying to sneak out of the house without our parents hearing you.”
“Ah, the guilty walk,” Josie said from the living room. She’d clearly eavesdropped on us.
I nodded. “Exactly.”
Isabelle laughed. “Well, you’ve got it all wrong. I’m not feeling guilty at all. I