Chapter 1

Emma Ross stepped into the living room wearing a salmon-stripe blouse, skinny jeans, and flats. Her hair pulled up in a neat half-ponytail, she sat down on the couch.
"Hey, Jessie," Emma greeted her nanny.
"Oh! Good morning, Emma," said Jessie. "You look nice today."
"My friends and I are going to hang out in Central park later today," Emma explained. "I want to make sure I look supes cute."
"But it's only a walk in the park," Jessie pointed out.
"Exactly," Emma said. She stood up. "I have a fashion question for you." She fastened on a gold chain necklace. "I got this new gold necklace from Mom and Dad today. Does it look okay with my outfit?"
"Why are you asking me?" Jessie said. "I'm the one who can't accessorize to save my life. Remember?"
"Right." Emma rolled her eyes and sashayed off to the kitchen.
Jessie picked up the magazine and began to read again. It wasn't long until she was interrupted again by Ravi, but she didn't mind a bit.
"Good morning, Jessie," Ravi said sweetly, in his usual apparel from India.
"Hi, Ravi," Jessie answered, standing up. "How are you today?"
"I am fine. But I am afraid Mrs. Kipling is rather moody this morning," Ravi answered with a frown. Then he sighed. "Probably a female issue I will never comprehend."
Jessie smiled and ruffled Ravi's hair. "Go get something to eat. I heard Luke is making breakfast today." Jessie pondered this. "At least I think he said that."
Ravi raised his eyebrows. "That is odd. The only thing I ever see him cook is popped corn in the microwave. Even then, he always burns it to a crisp!" Shrugging, Ravi walked to the kitchen.
Luke was making breakfast - for himself, but Ravi noticed that he fixed an extra bowl of Fruity Hoops.
"Good morning, brother," Ravi greeted Luke. "Why two bowls?"
"Ah, it's not for me, dude," Luke said, exiting the kitchen with a bowl of cold cereal in each hand, nudging Ravi with his elbow.
Ravi opened the refrigerator. "Suit yourself," Ravi called back, reaching for the bagels.
Emma sighed. "Brothers," she said, sweeping back her blond hair.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Luke set the extra bowl of cereal on the table in front of Jessie.
"So, babe," Luke crooned. "Hungry? Cause you can have a big spoonful of Luke." He puckered up, leaning in towards Jessie.
Jessie pushed his face away. "Rule number one: no calling ANYONE babe. EVER. And-"
"But can't I call you babe at least for now until we get get married?"
"NO, Luke!" Jessie breathed out deeply. "And rule number two: Quit hitting on me! I'm really tired of it. There isn't a chance of us getting together. You and I are seven years apart. Besides, I'm already dating Tony."
"Well, I'll make sure to find Tony a girl that loves him as much as I love YOU," Luke retorted, tapping Jessie's nose with each word.
"Luke, go eat breakfast in the kitchen like everyone else," ordered Jessie.
"Why should I?" Luke crossed his arms.
"Because if you eat in here, it's just another mess for Bertram not to clean up."
Luke's eyes rolled to the top of his head. "Whatever!" Luke stormed off.
Jessie almost felt bad. Luke was young, and he was just trying to be funny. Or was he? No, she told herself. He's way too young to be hitting on women. And he's going way too far with it, Jessie thought. She hurried off to her bedroom.