Ella was sitting behind her large desk in the main room of the office when her sister walked in, leaning up against the half wall in front of the desk.

"Morning," She beamed.

"Morning, shouldn't you be in school?" Ella asked, glancing up at her.

Her sister rolled her eyes.

"Half day so I thought I would stop by and see if Rex wanted to take me to lunch."

"He's really busy today Evie."

Evie was only fifteen years old but living with Ella full time after their parent's death. She was a good kid, good grades never got in trouble and almost always did her chores, almost.

When their parents died Evie had been thirteen and Rex had almost instantly stepped up to help Ella get her settled. He found a house for them that was in Ellas price range and spent an entire Saturday helping them move. Since then he had been an active part of Evie's life.

"Okay, I guess you can take me to eat then," Evie said, snapping her gum.

"Hey, Evie. What's up?" Rex asked as he walked down the hall, tossing a folder on Ella's desk.

"Well, I got out of school early so I came to see if you would be interested in buying me lunch."

"I could probably go for a nice, thick, juicy burger." He teased.

"Yeah? and you might also die before your forty eating that shit." Evie shot back.

"Language," Ella scolded.

"Let me get my coat and apparently my wallet," Rex said.

He walked away and Evie leaned further towards Ella.

"Are you coming too?"

"No, I have to work. Someone needs to keep this place operating," Ella said.

"Come on El, have lunch with us."

"I can't I'm busy," Ella replied, not looking up.

"You're always busy."

"Come on Ella, lunch," Rex called moving back down the hall.

"I can't sir, I have too much to do."

"I will wait and for the love of God stop calling me sir, I've known you since you were in highschool and you've worked here eight years."

Ella gave him an exasperated look as she finally glanced up, she was swamped in closings today and lunch was something best spent working at her desk.

"Come on," he leaned forward snatching the phone cord and pulling it from the wall, putting it in his pocket.

"Really!?" Ella demanded.

"Really, let's go." He motioned to the door with his head.

Ella stood and began pulling on her coat while Evie beamed at Rex like he was some kind of hero

"Can we take the bike?" Evie asked.

"Well, if Ella says it's okay." He agreed.

"El, please?"

"I hate that bike, they're death traps," Ella said.

"Please? please?" Evie begged gripping Ella's arm as she approached.

"Fine, I'll follow in the car."

Evie was gone in a second sprinting down the hall and out of the building towards Rex's motorcycle.Rex laughed glancing at Ella who shook her head.

"She's so wild some days," Ella said with a sigh.

"She's a teenaged girl, she's still a good kid and you're doing a good job El."

"I'm trying."

"You didn't sign on to be her mother, she knows that. You're just lucky that you're being thirteen years older means you can legally have custody."

They reached the sidewalk where Evie sat on the motorcycle, her converse sneakers dangling a few inches above the sidewalk.

"Helmet," Rex said motioning to the one that hung from the handlebars.

She rolled her eyes but didn't argue as she strapped it on her head, he gave it a sharp pull before swinging onto the bike in front of her.

"Please make sure she keeps what little brains she has inside her head," Ella begged.

"I'll guard her with my life," He promised.

Ella gave a small nod as he kicked up the kickstand and started the motorcycle checking traffic before pulling out, Evie giving a squeal of excitement.

It wasn't that Ella didn't trust Rex but one drunk driver was all it took for her and Evie to lose both their parents.

She followed them in the car to the restaurant downtown an old-fashioned diner. When she walked in the door Rex and Evie were already seated in one of the red vinyl booths.

Ella fell into the seat next to Evie and picked up a menu.

"I will pay you one hundred dollars to eat a burger with me," Rex said not looking over his menu.

"Five," Evie shot back.

"Two fifty."

"Deal."

Lately, Evie had been on a diet kick, getting her to eat anything of real substance was a constant struggle for Ella. She glanced over her menu at Rex giving him a smile and small nod of thanks.

"When I turn sixteen I think I want a motorcycle instead of a car," Evie said.

"No way," Ella replied.

"Come on El, they're awesome."

"Can't take a motorcycle parking," Rex pointed out.

"Rex!" Ella snapped.

"I'm on your side," he said with a shrug.

They ordered their food, Evie keeping her word and having a burger with Rex but skipping the bacon and Ella ordering a salad.

"So, got a hot date this weekend?" Evie teased Rex.

"Just your sister," he replied.

"How about a new deal?" Evie asked, setting down her burger.

"What do you propose?" He asked giving her his full attention.

"I'll forget about the two hundred and fifty dollars...if you take Ella on a real date."

"Evelyn!" Ella choked on her water as she turned to stare horrified at her sister.

"Uh..."Rex glanced at the two sisters.

"I...I am so sorry, sir. I..." Ella trailed off to embarrassed to continue.

"Why don't I go ahead back to the office and...I'll see you there," He said.

"Yeah, fine."

Rex slid from the booth tossing down a few twenties for lunch and grabbing his helmet from beside him. He paused to ruffle his hand through Evie's hair.

"See ya around kid."

"Bye," She said with a smile.

As soon as he was gone Ella slipped from the booth and took up his seat across from her sister.

"What is wrong with you?"

"Ella come on, he's awesome and you're so good together."

"Shut up and eat your lunch," Ella said turning to her salad.

"Come on, you've had the hots for him since highschool."

"I said...shut up," Ella said softly.

"You know I'm right and if you don't make a move soon...he's going to meet someone Elanor, you know that."

The sisters finished their lunch in mostly silence and the Ella drove her sister home.

The truth was she had liked Rex since she was in highschool, he was older than her and was already graduated by the time she got to highschool, so was Laurel but Addie wasn't much older than her and it was a small town.

While Ella waited tables to pay for college Rex was starting his own business and going through secretaries like socks. He and his third date of the week stopped by the restaurant one night. He recognized Ella as his parents neighbor from down the street and spoke to her, her heart had skipped a beat with every word.

When his date left angry he had bought Ella some pie and the rest was history, she promised herself to keep things professional.

If it hadn't been for Rex though, she wasn't sure she could make it with Evie.