Page 58 of Pucking Rebound

“Sorry.” I stare blankly. “I mean, I will protect you from The Grady Sisters.”

“FromThe Shining?” Sofia yells.

Lucia shakes her head in disgust. “That’s just mean. We’re way prettier.”

Lola giggles, drawing my attention back to her.

“I apologize for my sisters in advance.” I bow my head and kiss her pretty lips I can’t seem to get enough of.

“Oh, wow. I can’t look.”

“Yuck. I need an eye sanitizer.”

My sisters both say in tandem, making Lola smile wide, breaking our kiss. I think she likes my silly sisters. I hope she does.

I keep my voice low. “They swear like pirates, but they’re awesome, I promise. They’re real and grounded and face life and death situations every single day.”

“I like them already,” Lola whispers back.

I want my sisters to like Lola too. It’s something I shouldn’t want because Lola’s only expecting this to be a two-night thing, but I want more and I’ve been trying to figure out a way to ask her.

“Ready?” I whisper.

Lola grabs my hand and moves to my side before she gives Lucia and Sofia a shy finger wave then says, “Hi.”

“Wow, you are way too pretty for our brother.”

“That’s Lucia,” I inform Lola.

“God, yeah, you’re like a solid ten and he’s a weak three, at a push.”

“And that’s Sofia.” I introduce her twin.

“I’ll never be able to tell you apart,” Lola says, sounding overwhelmed.

“Oh, that’s easy.” I point at Lucia. “Mean.” Then at Sofia. “Meaner.”

“That’s not helpful.” Lola laughs, and I’m so fucking glad she can, given the day she’s had.

“It’s not.” Sofia drops the food in her arms clumsily onto the counter.

I point at the food she drops and then to the door. “Oh no, you’re not staying. Pick your food back up and go.” They are like a pair of fucking starving squirrels foraging food for winter, and gossip.

“It’s okay.” Lola squeezes my hand reassuring me she’s fine.

“Great.” Lucia copies Sofia, putting her food down and following our sister over to the dining area.

Fuck’s sake, they are never leaving now. Next, they’ll be inviting themselves for dinner.

Sofia shakes Lola’s hand introducing herself. “It’s easy to tell us apart.”

“It’s not.” Lola bounces her gaze between her and Lucia.

“I have a mole, here.” Sofia points to the darkened area under her eye.

“Which I don’t have.” Lucia holds her hand out next for Lola to shake, pumping her arm a little too enthusiastically.

“Ah.” Lola holds her hand to her chest. “I’m so relieved that I’ll be able to tell you apart. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Lola.”

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