Page 167 of Dove
Reverie continued with my cut as she replied, “Um,everything. I’m dying to hear how my hard work paid off.”
A huff of laughter escaped me. “Your hard work?”
“Yes,my hard work!Do you know how much of a bitch it was to string those fairy lights? You’re welcome.”
“Thank you, Rev,” I drawled, a touch sarcastic, until I remembered how beautiful it reallyhadlooked. “It really was gorgeous,” I added more sincerely. “I can’t believe you two managed to work together and keep it from me.”
“Josh made meswearnot to tell you. Usually that wouldn’t do much to stop me, since we both know how bad I am at keeping things from you, but with everything we’ve had going on lately, it wasn’t too hard to keep it to myself.” Her gaze was on my hair as she cut and talked. It always amazed me how she could do that. “Thankfully I had Zeke help me, or it probably wouldn’t have turned out quite as nice.”
Panic clawed at my insides. “He knows?”
“I didn’t tell him,” she hastily explained, “but, well, he’s perceptive, Dove. I think it’s like a superpower of his. He’s quiet and he knows things.” Her teeth worried her bottom lip, looking remorseful. “I’m sorry, should I not have brought him along? I just didn’t think I’d be able to string up all those lights by myself, and you deserved it to look perfect because I knew how important it was to you?—”
“Rev,” I interrupted, then smiled to ease her fears. “It’s okay. I’m not upset. I know Zeke won’t say anything.”
She huffed. “I don't know why you care what this dusty old town thinks anyway. You’re notrelated.It’s not even the good kind of taboo,” she grumbled.
“Don’t go on theCredencerant again, please,” I begged. Ever since we’d buddy read it together a few summers ago, she hadopinions.Loudopinions.
“I just don't understand why everyone gets grossed out,” she exploded, unable to hold it in. “They’re not related and weren’t even raised together!”
My stomach did that uncomfortable twisty thing.
“Yeah, butwe were, Rev. That’s exactly why I’m worried.”
“You were both older, it barely counts,” she dismissed easily. “Either way, this town hasnoright to judge. You should hear the shit I’m told when the old ladies come in for their styles. You’ve got nothing on the depraved shit that goes on in this town.”
I wanted to argue but she proclaimed, “Moving on. Now tell me what happened during the magical, beautiful night I helped orchestrate. Come on, spill.”
So, I did. Well, maybe not abouteverything, despite her prying questions. Some things were just meant to be kept close to the heart, and that night was one I would cherish forever. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t brag a little, because Joshwaspretty impressive in bed, and before him, I’d only ever had experiences that made Rev wince in sympathy every time I FaceTimed her about them. She’d never understood why I fucked around with Torrance. Honestly, now that I’d seen what a man who knows his way around a woman’s body could do, neither did I.
“Damn.” Reverie blew out a breath. “If I wasn’t getting some, I’d be super fucking jealous right now. But Zeke keeps meplentysatisfied. Ten outta ten, no notes. Guess I taught him well,” she joked, because they’d both been each other's firsts, way back when.
Honestly, I was pretty sure she was hisonly,because I never saw him around Haven with anyone else, and he worked so much I couldn’t imagine him slinking off to go look for someone in the city. I couldn’t prove that, however, so I kept it to myself.
She laid down her scissors and reached for her blow dryer.
“You don’t have to dry it, Rev. I'll just throw it up in a bun.”
She threw me a withering stare before clicking on her dryer. She pitched her voice a little louder so I could hear her over the force of the air. “So, he was worth the wait?”
I nodded shyly, unable to keep the smile off my face. Reverie had heard all about my crush throughout the years, and knew I’d hopelessly been waiting for Josh to be the one to take my virginity. Even when my already delusional daydream became even more impossible when he left.
“Aw, you’re practically glowing, Dove,” she teased, then froze, shutting off her blow dryer abruptly. “Wait. You guys made sure you used?—”
Oh my god, kill me now. I covered my face, which now burned with embarrassment.
“Yes,” my muffled reply came from behind my hands. I reluctantly brought them down. “Even though I told him I’m on birth control, he was adamant.”
“Oh no, babe, I’m with him on this one. Don’t ever tempt fate, that bitch is cunning and ruthless. She’ll get you when you least expect it. Always wrap it to tap it, unless you don’t mind having little ones running around in your future.”
My mind instantly went to a mini version of Josh kicking up dust as he ran around the farm, and I tried not to let the longing show on my face, but my best friend was observant as hell when it came to me. Other things, not so much, but me? She was like a damn bloodhound.
She let out a tiny gasp and the blow dryer nearly fell out of her loose grip.
“No way.”
“Whatever it is your thinking of saying,” I warned, “don’t.”
