Page 87 of Bourbon and Secrets

Faye covers her mouth, trying to keep from laughing. She looks beautiful in her chunky knit sweater hanging from one shoulder and a pair of leggings that look like they’re painted on. “Yeah, definitely no fun at all.”

Lily smiles at Faye and looks back to me as she asks, “Can I see Lark and her friends now?”

I tilt my head toward the door. “Go for it.”

I look back at Faye’s amused face and leave my filter off. “You’re beautiful,” I say to Faye without reservation.

I glance at my youngest, who’s already inside. “She’s a big personality. Thank you for indulging her today.”

“The psychic was a last-minute addition. I hope that’s okay.”

I link my pinky with hers and bring her wrist to my lips. “You’re new around here. I know what it’s like to take that kid out. You’re not the one in charge, despite what you might think.”

“Oh, I knew that the minute I met her,” she laughs out.

We wade through a mess of bags, a bundled sea of blankets, and tents that have somehow shifted into more than just the living room. A huge rumble that sounds like a herd of elephants upstairs drowns out everything else.

“There's one girl locked in the bathroom because she was pissed off about something another girl said to her. Then Lark got upset because nobody could agree on what they wanted to do. I think maybe I need to feed them? Honestly, I’m stuck on how they’re all still supposed to co-exist until sunrise tomorrow.”

Lily yells out from the kitchen island, “I don’t know why everyone is upset. I mean, look at all this candy?!” She’s sitting with her legs folded on the counter and a mountain of candy bags surrounding her.

“What do you think they would have fun doing?” Faye asks her.

“You’re asking me?” Lily says in surprise.

Faye shrugs her shoulders. “You’re her sister. What would she think is the absolute coolest and most fun thing to do?”

“Hmmm . . . Candy salad and get all fancy like you.”

Faye smiles at me and then raises her eyebrows, wordlessly asking if it’s okay.

Seconds later, Lark comes downstairs with about eight girls on her heels. “Dad, can we—Faye! Hi.” She waves.

“I heard you were having a party.” Faye gives her a small, gray-folded cloth wrapped in a bow. “I know you were looking for a particular one, but this was the one I had gotten when I saw Dave Matthews Band in Seattle. It might be a little big, but?—”

Lark’s mouth drops open, eyes widening. She isn’t my screaming kid, that’s Lily, but she’s damn excited right now. “Oh my gosh, Faye. This is so cool.” Lark looks at me as she turns the shirt around.

“Very cool, kiddo,” I say, mirroring her smile.

Over a mouthful of Skittles, Lily says from the counter, “Lark, Faye said she would do everyone’s make-up if we wanted.”

Lark raises her eyebrows as two of her friends squeal and start saying how fun that would be. “Can you?” She glances at me before she corrects herself and asks, “You wouldn’t mind doing that?”

“I would love to do that,” Faye says as she looks over toward Lily. “Your sister is whipping up a candy salad—Not really sure what that entails, but there’s no way it won’t be good.”

I stack a bunch of board games from the mudroom. “I found Twister and Clue.”

Before the girls grumble, Faye says, “I love Clue.”

And because the pretty stranger said it, everyone is all about it. Not a single “that’s so lame” or rolled eye. Two of her friendsstart screeching and jumping up and down, and I swear I might have lost my hearing in my right ear when Lark excitedly says, “Please tell me you have more of those rhinestones too for our eyes?!”

“I do. Let me run next door and grab my make-up kits. I just bought some new gems too, so this is perfect timing. Lily, want to be my assistant?”

Lily’s eyes brighten and she hops down from the counter. “Really? Yes, please!”

“I feel like we need some good music.” Faye looks at Lark. “I saw the mirror balls and friendship bracelets, so I’m assuming you have a playlist in mind?”

Lark nods, and they all start shouting song titles. Lily rolls her eyes, like she doesn’t listen to the exact same music as her older sister. “Soooo overplayed.”

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