Page 69 of Forbidden Kisses
“We do not,” Krista objected. “It’s not commiserating. We support each other. That’s what friends do.” Krista twisted her body around and looked at Grace. “And you’re our friend, so tonight we’re supporting you.”
Abby playfully swatted Grace’s arm. “And you’re not depriving us of it because we’re as nosy as we are supportive.”
Joey laughed again.
Grace smiled—it wasn’t forced this time. “Thank you,” Grace said, meaning it.
“No, thankyou.” Krista turned around as they drove. “Abby and I were getting sick of going over the same woe-is-me stories.”
“Woe-is-me?” Grace asked.
Krista curled her fingers around her headrest. “Well, for one, I’m sick of hearing about how much Abby hates Sam.”
Abby rolled her eyes. “And I’m sick of hearing about how you and Noah are only friends.”
“We are,” Krista shot back.
Her brother tugged on her. “You’re going to get me a ticket sitting like that. Cabdrivers shouldn’t get tickets.”
“Oh shush. You’ve gotten tickets before,” Krista said.
“Do I need to start charging you?” he asked, irritation lining his usual easygoing tone.
“If you had half a brain, you would.” Krista ducked as he tried to mess up her hair. “Watch it, brother dearest, I know your weak spot.”
Abby and Grace looked at each other.
“And I’ll tell,” Krista threatened.
Joey’s hand retreated. “You wouldn’t. You need me to be your DD every Thursday night.”
Krista folded her arms at her chest and sat back in her seat the correct way.
Turning into the parking lot of Castaways, Joey pulled around front to drop them off. “Have fun. Be safe. Stay away from the sleaze buckets.”
Krista leaned over and wrapped her arms around her brother’s neck. “Aww. You do care.”
“I was talking to Grace and Abby,” he said.
“You two will never grow up,” Abby remarked as they got out of the cab and walked toward the front entrance of the bar.
“I love my brother. He’s the best.”
Grace pushed down her own thoughts. She was an only child, but for a little while she’d had three brothers growing up. She’d gotten to feel that way again over the last month, especially with Noah.
They walked to the back of the bar and nabbed their regular spot.
“Did you get to talk to him?” Grace asked, leaning close to Krista so she could hear over the music. “Noah?”
Krista nodded. “I invited him to lunch today. We made up, by the way.”
Grace smiled. “That’s great. So?”
Krista twisted her mouth to one side thoughtfully. “So I inserted the idea that he might need to forgive you. That’s how Noah works. You kind of have to suggest something to him, never flat-out ask or he’ll push back. So I suggested that maybe you never meant to hurt him.”
Grace nodded.
“I’ll go get the drinks while you two chat,” Abby said.
