Page 92 of Choosing a Forever
Last week was Kinsley’s state science fair presentation, and she knocked it out of the park, just like I knew she would. Mack and I were there when she won her award, and Kinsley sought us out in the crowd. I think I even saw Mack’s eyes well with tears.
She got invited to the fair in San Antonio in May, and I overheard her talking to Harper about what an amazing opportunity it would be. Mack hasn’t brought it up, but I’m sure she’s stressed about how she’ll afford it.
I clear my throat, getting everyone’s attention. “All right, let’s talk about San Antonio. Kins, do you still want to go?”
Kinsley nods immediately.
“Good. Harper, Mack?”
Harper nods but looks a little nervous about it.
“I don’t know how we can afford it,” Mack admits softly.
“I didn’t ask if you can afford it, Firefly, I asked if you wanted to go.”
Mack’s cheeks turn pink as she nods, and I can’t help but chuckle.
“Great. Kinsley, send me the details of the event, and I’ll get everything booked and squared away with flights and hotel. Elli and her fiancé will be here in a few weeks for Hannah and Morgan’s party, so we can talk to them about fun stuff to do while we’re there.”
Mack opens her mouth to say something, then quickly shuts it.
“And my cousin Emma, the one who lives in San Diego, will be here, too, so we can talk about going there for your birthday in July.”
Kinsley’s mouth drops open. “Really? We can do both?”
I shrug. “Why not? You only turn sixteen once.”
“Tal, we can’t afford—” Mack starts, but I reach over and place my hand on hers.
“Mack, I promise we can. Let me do this for you. Please.” Mack bites her lip, drawing my attention to her mouth as she nods.
We talk about things the girls want to see and do while we’re in San Antonio and San Diego while we finish dinner, then the girls offer to do the dishes since I cooked.
I start to protest, but Mack gently shakes her head and motions for me to follow her downstairs.
“Goodnight, girls!” I call as I follow, and they both call out a simultaneous, “Goodnight!”
The minute we’re downstairs, Mack whirls on me. “What are we doing, Talmage? What areyoudoing? Planning trips and offering to pay for them? Are you nuts?”
I hold my hands up in surrender. “I—”
“I don’t know whether I want to kiss you and get on my knees to thank you for being so generous or smack you upside the head for spoiling us.”
Oh no, the image of Mack on her kneesthankingme is making me hard. I don’t think I’d last even a second if I got inside her pretty mouth.
Focus.
“What’s wrong with spoiling you? Iwantto spoil you, Mack. I already told you—I don’t have anything else to spend my money on. I have so much saved, and I have a good salary. Let me spend it on you.” I step forward and wrap my hands around her waist, and I see the fightleaving her just as quickly as it came. I lean down and whisper in her ear, “Think about it: sandy beaches, a fruity drink in your hand, the ocean. Good food. Relaxing. No work to worry about.”
Mack makes a disgruntled sound. “Fine. That sounds nice. But what if your cousins hate me?”
I shake my head and barely hold back a laugh. My cousins will love her. “Elli and Emma are two of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Hannah, too. Oh, by the way, I kind of RSVP’d to their party for us, so I hope you’re okay with going.”
“They’re not going to judge me because I’m covered in tattoos and have piercings?”
I shake my head. “Elli’s fiancé has tattoos and piercings, and so does Emma. Hannah left the church and is super chill, so don’t worry.”
“Okay. Do I need to wear anything fancy? When is it?”
