Page 18 of The Secrets We Treasure

“What do you mean?”

“I’d venture to say that Laci throwing me a party has more to do with her wanting to impress her friends than actually celebrating me.”

“That’s harsh.”

“You know how Laci is … always hosting a party or heading up some event.”

“That’s how Laci keeps herself busy.”

“I guess.”

“I’ll have to get onto Laci for not mentioning the party. As my designated best friend, she’s supposed to keep me up on all the latest gossip.”

“Ah, so now I’m fodder for gossip,” Greer teased.

She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.” Greer lived in Silicon Valley but frequently went home to Honeysuckle Island, where his parents still lived. Now that he was unattached, he was the talk of the island, especially amongst the single women who hoped to snare him.

“Hold the phone, I thought I was your best friend.”

“You are.” He was that and so much more. “Can’t I have two best friends? You and Laci?”

He sighed as he went into his trademark Southern drawl. “You know T, this straddling the fence thing ain’t gonna cut it. One day, you’re gonna have to pick either me or Laci.”

Laughter gurgled in her throat. “Please tell me we’re not back to that again.”

“Of course. It always goes back to the island.”

It was a game the three of them played when they were kids. Usually, the favorite directly correlated with the person each of them happened to be getting along with at the given moment. Treasure pursed her lips. “Let’s see, if I were stranded on a deserted island, who would I pick to be there with me … you or Laci? Hmm … this is a tough decision; Laci can cook. And she is a lot prettier than you.”

“Ouch. You don’t think I’m pretty?”

Devastatingly handsome would be a more appropriate description, but Treasure wasn’t about to point that out. She kept her tone casual. “I suppose if there was a shortage of beauty pageant contestants, you would do in a pinch.” A cheeky smile spread over her lips. She’d missed this … the easy banter that flowed between them like water. It came from them knowing each other so well.

He hooted. “Oh, wow. So what you’re saying is that I could be the next Singing Bachelor.”

“Definitely not,” she chuckled. “You might be handsome, but you couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.”

“Neither could you before your slew of singing lessons.”

“Hey,” she protested. “That’s low.”

“You know I’m right,” he taunted in a singsong voice.

“I do,” she admitted, thrusting out her lower lip in a pout, even though she wasn’t remotely offended by his candor. Greer was right. Treasure had learned to sing out of necessity when Ethan talked her into trying out for the show. She frowned. “Wait a minute. How did you know about my singing lessons? You and I weren’t keeping in touch back then.” Oops. Maybe she shouldn’t have said that. Heat stung her cheeks. It wasn’t good to reference their breakup. That could lead to questions that Treasure didn’t want to answer. Thankfully, Greer didn’t skip a beat.

“A little birdie told me.”

“Laci,” she muttered. “She never could keep a secret.” Which is precisely why Treasure had never told her all the events that led up to her and Greer’s breakup. Very few people knew the truth, and Treasure wanted to keep it that way.

“The one thing you’re terrific at is writing.”

Warmth flushed through her chest. “Thanks.”

“Are you still writing poems?”

“I write every now and again … when I can find the time.”

“Didn’t you write a few songs when you were on the reality TV show?”

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