Page 139 of The Way We Collide

Both girls started walking on the same day, and Garrett and Hendrix have been arguing about who took the first step ever since.

We were at the park blowing bubbles and watching the guys throw the football when it happened.

“It was Gigi, because she loves dogs,” Garrett says. “She finally came out of Liv because that lady at the park had a dog.”

Liv’s eyes meet mine, and I almost choke on my champagne. “It’s not a competition, babe.

“They’re walking now, and we’re never sitting down again,” I tease.

“I’m winning this, Cherry.” He cuts playful eyes at her.

Hendrix shakes his head. “It was Haddy, because she loves football. She was trying to come out onto the field with us.”

“Who wants a mermaid cupcake?” I hold up a lavender-topped cake with a perfectly designed, strawberry-blonde mermaid on top. “This one looks like Liv!”

“I think Kimmie is having the most fun of everyone.” Alliestands beside me holding her glass of champagne and watching Jack’s daughter run from the bounce house to the balloon maze then sliding into the ball pit.

She’s wearing a dress with a lavender top and pale green tulle skirt, and Clint follows her all over the party telling her to pose here and stop there and taking pictures of everything.

“I think my favorite part is how he did their names.” I point to the massive balloon arrangements spelling out both girls' names on each side of the patio.

“That topiary starfish with the seahorse is incredible.” Dylan nods at the five-foot structure made of roses, daisies, and hydrangea flowers.

“I’ve never seen anything like this.” The stuffy male voice makes my chest freeze, and I turn just in time to hear my sister’s voice.

“This is the coolest party I’ve ever seen!” Amelia runs through the toddler-sized tables to give me a hug. “It’s straight out of the Kardashians!”

“I didn’t know you were bringing Dad.” I walk back the way she came to where my father stands, seeming bewildered by all the stations of food and candy and balloons.

“Raven, this is quite a party.” He leans down to give me a kiss, but the skin on the back of my neck tenses.

“You don’t have to pass judgment.” My tone is cool. “You can simply enjoy it.”

His brow lowers. “I have no intention of passing judgment.”

Taking my sister’s hand, I lead her away from him to where the Bradford ladies are standing. “Dylan, Allie, Rachel, Liv, this is my little sister Amelia.”

“I know Amelia!” Dylan skips forward to give my sister a hug. “It’s been four years, but you haven’t changed a bit!”

“Do I still look seventeen?” Mimi cries, putting her hands over her face. “That explains a lot.”

“You look very youthful.” Dylan takes her hand, leadingher to the drinks table. “But I know you’re twenty-one. Have some champagne.”

“Look at my little Haddy-boo walking!” Mimi drops to her knees, and Haddy squeals, smiling as she wobbles quickly to my sister.

Amelia scoops her up as Hendrix leans down to give her a hug. “Hey, girl. You’re looking good.”

“I’d say the same to you!” She gives him a wink, and my eyebrows shoot up.

“Mr. Gale.” Hendrix reaches out to shake his hand. “Good to see you again, sir.”

“Congratulations to you on winning the Big Game. That was a very impressive catch.” Hendrix nods, and my dad turns to me. “What was that about you saving a life during it?”

Someone tipped off the big LA newspaper about Star and me helping with the plane crash, and they put it on the front page. From there, the gossip site TMI found it, and after that, we went viral again. Only this time, audiences were unified in their response.

The LA Times headline read “Bradford Saves Super Bowl, Wife Saves Councilwoman’s Son,” but the TMI site went all out with “SUPER BOWL WIFE SAVES A LIFE!!!” I didn’t even know the boy we rescued was the son of a city council woman until TMI told me.

Along with the viral posting of the rescue, everyone was discussing how Hendrix shut Mikayla down after the game. It only took a few days and the loss of several thousand followers for her to remove her videos insulting me after the parking lot incident.

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