Page 99 of The Pinkie Pact

I noticed that Sky kept her eyes off me because we'd definitely be a dead giveaway with our secret looks that Kara had brought up before. But of course, I couldn't keep myself from looking at her, staring at her, because she seemed more beautiful to me somehow. I didn't know how or why.

It was nothing she'd done with her hair or makeup or clothing because I didn't care about all that. Maybe it was seeing her interact with my parents, the most important people in my life besides Sky, and seeing how much they liked her.

While we were eating, I began to dream of a real future with Sky, something I thought I'd have with Christina but also dreaded with Christina. But with Sky, I imagined how it could be different, how fun and exciting it would be.

I pictured hanging out with my family or her family, someday getting married, someday having kids. I imagined Sky as a mom, and I knew she'd be amazing, unconventional perhaps, but a mom that cared fiercely about her kids.

"That sounds familiar, right, Kieran?" my mom asked me, drawing me out of my head.

"Hmm, what?" I said, looking up at her amused face.

"Sky was just telling us about her upcoming recital and how she's anxious about it."

She was actually talking about that? I was stunned. I glanced at her empty wine glass, her slightly flushed face, and bright eyes. Oh, boy.

Making eye contact with me for the first time tonight, Sky said, "Your mom said you played the same song once in a recital."

"I did?" I didn't remember the specifics, but of course, I recalled playing a duet. I had completely sucked, and I felt terrible for the poor girl I'd been paired with.

My mom laughed. "You did. You may not remember the composition, but I do. We still have it in the piano bench I'm sure. Haven't cleaned that out in forever."

"Which part did you play?" Sky asked me, her face curious.

"The upper part, and I was awful."

"You were not," my mom insisted. "You were always so hard on yourself about the piano, but you were quite good."

I think she maybe had selective memory when it came to her kids.

"And you would have been even better if you had practiced more," she added, a teasing smile on her face. "I used to nag him about practicing all the time, but he finally told me the piano just wasn't his thing."

"Can't be good at everything, right?" Sky said.

"That's definitely true," my mom agreed. "And Kier has many other talents."

Not daring to meet her eyes, I could almost feel Sky's mind at work with that comment, and I knew if I looked at her, she would burst out laughing. Crap. This was difficult. How much longer until dessert?

"Well, Sky, my dear," my mom continued, "I'd absolutely love to hear you play. Maybe you and Kieran could try that duet."

Sky and I both tried to decline at the same time, however, my mom brought out her superpower—her killer persuasive skills.

"Listening to someone play the piano is one of my favorite things in the world," she said, pausing for effect. "And we just had the piano tuned. It's a baby grand."

That was the clincher for Sky. "Oh, wow. Okay. I'd love to. How about you, Kieran?" she asked, looking at me with a cute smile on her face.

"Sure. Why not?" I said, not able to resist her. "I'm giving you fair warning... it's been years since I played that song, and I am telling you right now, I'm going to butcher it."

Everyone laughed even though I was dead serious. But really, what did it matter? It was only my family.

A short time later, I found myself rummaging through the piano bench, looking for the practically ancient piece of music. Once I discovered it, Sky refreshed my memory about the layout, my part on the right pages and hers on the left.

Before she sat down, she took her phone from her back pocket, placing it on some bookshelves behind us, and I did the same. I glanced at my parents and Kara who all sat on the couches, looking at us expectantly.

"Ready?" Sky asked me.

Shaking my head, I said, "No."

She cracked up laughing. "No pressure. It's just your family, and they won't care how bad you are," she joked.

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