Page 53 of Starry Skies, Stolen Kisses, and My Best Friend's Brother

I nudge Abi awake, and we spend the next fifteen minutes telling silly stories about our college days, embellishing heavily.Abi had a particularly good time telling them about the frat party we attended where the fire department was called.

“I guess it’s time to find you girls husbands then,” Bill says.“The Franklin twins are back from gallivanting overseas.”

Both Abi and I share a look.No way would either of us date, let alone marry, one of the Franklin twins.

“I think there might be something going with Mae and one of my boys,” Todd says with a wink to me.

“Oh, which one?”Bill asks, taking a sip of his coffee but keeping his eyes on me.

I’ve got to shut this down before it gets out of hand.My dad’s already suspicious—no need to add fuel to that fire.

“I’ve dated all of them.Sadly, nothing is going on with any of them.”I wave my hands in the air.

“Shame you can’t marry off those kids, Todd.What’s wrong with them, Mae?”Ferdie looks at Todd with a smirk on his face.

“Nothing.All of them are fine.It’s just they’re all like brothers to me.That’s the problem with growing up with them.”

The conversation switches to something about fishing, and I’m glad for the distraction.I enjoy listening to the familiar conversations and stories.

An hour or so later, Dad and I are back in the car driving home, and he grips the steering wheel, his hands clenching it tight.

“Todd’s not the only one who thinks something is going on with Seth.Terry asked me the other day if I thought you’d let Todd officiate your wedding.You need to date other people.”

“Dad.Didn’t you try this with Rick?That was a disaster.”And of course Todd will officiate the wedding.I just don’t know when that will actually happen.But someday, I’m gonna marry that boy.

Dad clenches his jaw, but I don’t elaborate.He needs to stop interfering with my love life.

“That was a bad idea.I’m sorry about that.”

“You need to start trusting me to make my own decisions.”I’m so tired of trying to please him all the time.It’s never enough.I can feel a headache forming behind my eyes.

“If I did that, you’d run off with Seth.”

“Why is that a bad idea?If I go with Seth, I won’t get stuck here like you’re afraid I’m going to.And he has money, so I can visit as often as you want me to.”

“I will not explain myself again.But I’m serious.You’re not dating other people because of Seth.Just go out with a couple of other guys, and then I’ll feel better.”

I sigh in frustration.“And if I don’t?”

“Then I’ll assume things are going on with you and Seth, and you don’t want that.”He stares straight ahead, his face red and tight.

“Dad!I don’t even meet a lot of guys right now.I was dating a lot before, but that was when I was lifeguarding.I don’t have the time to get to know guys at the beach like I did before.”

Abi would gladly set me up with the guys she’s meeting, which I can’t say.

“You’re resourceful.I’m sure you’ll find a way.”

I don’t say another word to him all the way home.

* * *

Seth stands in front of the cabinet with his arms crossed, smirking at me.Deka is between us, waiting for a treat.She’s been around Terry too much and has definitely gained a couple of pounds since she arrived.

Seth knows my favorite mug with constellations is up behind him, but I can’t muster the energy to fight him today.We’ve tried so hard, and still it’s not enough for my dad.

I reach into the cupboard next to him, pull out a generic white mug, and approach the coffee pot, noting that the bag of coffee is my favorite from Starbucks.It’s infuriating and endearing that he knows exactly how to make me happy.He’s there in a second, plucking the mug out of my hand and putting my favorite one there instead.

“What’s wrong?”

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