Page 81 of A Class of Her Own

“I need you to psychoanalyze me,” I whined.

“I’ll do it,” Ruby piped up, pushing her way out of the kitchen, carrying a tray with fresh bruschetta on it. “Yep, you’re psycho.”

“Ha . . . ha.” I groaned. “You guys aren’t taking me seriously.”

Ruby’s face popped into view over mine, and she squinted her eyes down at me. “Guys, she might actually mean it. She doesn’t usually get so dramatic. In fact, this might be the first rug flop of her life. Maybe we should listen?”

Aryn glanced over the back of the couch as she stirred a bowl full of what I hoped was a cheese ball. We were having our own little between-holidays dinner, and the theme was bring whatever sounds good. I’d brought a bag of chips and a jar of queso that I was hoping someone would heat up in the microwave. I was too busy having an existential crisis to do it myself. The crisis involved— big shocker —Brooks and his delicious kisses and funny conversation and general swoon worthiness.

Aryn blew a strand of hair out of her eyes. “She looks pretty mopey. Did you guys know Meredith could mope? It’s kind of interesting to watch.”

“Leave the poor thing alone,” Hailey called from the kitchen. “She shared a few moments with Brooks that weren’t filled with scratch marks and emotional bandages, and she’s questioning her entire existence.”

I couldn’t see what she was preparing, but something smelled like barbeque sauce. “Are you making hot wings?” I asked her.

“Yes,” she replied.

I sat up. “I take it back. I’m healed.”

I pushed to standing and shoved my way between Ruby and Aryn to stand near Hailey. Watching her toss perfectly cooked chicken wings in her homemade sauce was enough to cheer up even the most morose soul. I leaned over and stuck a finger in the sauce bowl, licking it with a smile.

“I love dinner nights.”

“Of course you do,” Hailey swatted my hand away. “You always bring something microwavable.”

“It’s not my fault I didn’t have a mommy to teach me how to cook,” I pouted and made puppy dog eyes. They all groaned, which made me laugh. “I’m sorry. I’m tired.”

“From being chased around town by a clearly very interested Brooks VanOrman,” Hailey said. “With his lips.”

That stopped Aryn and Ruby dead in their tracks. They turned slowly to face me and Hailey, which meant the four of us were basically standing shoulder-to-shoulder in a circle. A splat of barbecue sauce hit the floor, and Hailey hurried to turn around and put the wing in the bowl before facing the group again.

“I’m sorry. Did you say Brooks VanOrman is interested in Meredith?” Aryn spluttered. “And by lips are you saying they’ve kissed?” Aryn leaned over and pushed her bowl between me and Hailey to set it on the counter and then stood straight again, hands on her lean hips. “I’m sorry. But I need the entire story, from the top, nothing left out.”

“Well, a moment ago I was lying on the rug moaning, and none of you were very curious about that,” I replied, enjoying the moment.

“That was when I figured you had stuck your finger in a light socket or something,” Ruby replied. “Do you need to lay back on the rug?”

I grinned. “I could use a hot wing.”

They all groaned for a second time and shoved me toward the living space, bodily putting me on the couch before gathering around and demanding I spill it.

“Brooks kissed me,” I said. My expression was smug, but only because I knew how much they’d be freaking out about this news and not because I was proud of anything. “At my dad’s house.” I let that settle. “After helping me make repairs.” Another pause. “Two days ago.”

Ruby exploded. “Two days ago?”

I held up my hands. “And also after we went skiing together.”

“You went skiing together?” Aryn cried. “When?”

“The day after the wedding. And he also might have kissed me on Christmas Eve.”

Their questions overlapped.

“He was helping you at your dad’s? You hardly let us go there!”

“On Christmas Eve? And you couldn’t text us?”

“We’ve seen you since then, and you didn’t say anything!”

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