Page 97 of The Apple Tree

“Nah. You know what I think?”

“Huh?”

“I think parents take the weakest one and make them the favorite because they know they need a little extra love if they’re struggling. So my sister is hands down the favorite.”

“Hmm …” She stared at the ground as we headed up the hill. “Then I might be the favorite. Or Sarah. Definitely not Gabby. She’s too sly. A conformist on the outside but a rebel on the inside. In their eyes, she can do no wrong.”

“Maybe you should consider not drinking so much. I bet that would go a long way to earn their trust.”

“Maybe. But now that I know I might be the favorite, I can’t risk being too good and losing thatextralove. Can you just imagine how hard they will love me if they find out about us?”

I laughed. She always made me laugh, even when I tried to be serious. Eve was quickly becoming dangerously irresistible.

Clifford ran ahead of us and peed on the first apple tree he came to.

“How do you feel about a movie Friday night after the homecoming game? Not in Devil’s Head. Either Filmore or Raven. Fred and Anne will be thrilled to watch Josh. If you can figure out how to sneak away with me.”

She stopped and stepped in front of me between the rows of apple trees. “A date? Are you asking me to homecoming? Do I get to wear a dress?”

“A date.” I snaked my hands around her waist. “Minus the homecoming.”

She frowned.

“I’ll wear my Sunday best, and you wow me with your sexiest dress.”

She giggled. “I’m a preacher’s daughter. I don’t own anything sexy.”

“Youmake the dress sexy.” I dipped my head and kissed her neck below her ear. “The dress doesn’t make you sexy.”

Her fingers weaved through my hair. “Why do I love when you say the word sexy?”

“Because you love sex,” I murmured in her ear. “I know what’s on that tape in your Walkman.”

She giggled, pushing me away. “Will we have popcorn and sodas?”

I grinned. “Popcorn and sodas.”

“Mike and Ikes?”

I shook my head. “Junior Mints.”

“What movie?” Eve reached for an apple and plucked it off the tree.

“Your choice.”

She wiped the apple with her sweatshirt and took a bite. My face soured just thinking about the tartness, but she didn’t flinch.

“Dirty Dancing. I’ve seen the previews. I think it’s about my life.”

“Is that so?” I was wasting time. We were a few yards from the fence along the property line, but I didn’t want to say good night.

“Well, we’ll see. But I’m going to be pissed if they made a movie about me without my permission.”

I no longer tried to hide my amusement with Eve. She made me laugh, and it felt good. And something about the smile on her face said I made her feel good, too.

“Meet me at our favorite lake after the game. Okay?” I said.

“Black Paw Lake is not our favorite lake. You said it yourself: Nobody’s there, the fish are not great, I flubbed up starting the boat there, and …” She snapped her fingers.

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