Page 82 of How He Got the Girl
Connor’s steps falter in the doorway. “Areallyour friends here?”
“That’s what typically happens when you live with people,” I deadpan. “Get inside. You’re letting all the warm air out.”
He sighs as if I’m the most exasperating person on the planet and moves past me so I can shut the door.
“What, are you nervous to be around girls?” I poke his stomach, and he flinches, trying to move away from me. “It’s only my best friends. You’ve known them over half your life, just as long as I have. They’re practically your bonus sisters. Well, there’s Tyler’s sister Tess, too, but she’s the best. You’ll love her.”
Connor’s only response is a harrumph.
I follow him into the living room and nearly run into him when he stops abruptly at the sight of Shayna. She stands in front of the fireplace, dancing to “Jingle Bell Rock” in a ribbed cream-colored long-sleeved tee tucked into a baby-blue skirt dotted with a dainty floral pattern. Her outfit is topped off with her pearl-studded headband—I don’t think she ever takes that thing off unless she’s sleeping. Her outfit screams spring even though we’re in the dead of winter, but it’s entirely Shayna. And I wouldn’t expect anything less from our sunshine girl.
“What are you doing?” I shove Connor lightly on the back to keep moving, but he’s immovable, as solid as a tree trunk with deep roots.
Shayna must’ve heard my question, because she looks up and immediately stops dancing, her cheeks bright pink. “Connor,” she squeaks. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
Before my brother can say anything, my cousin walks into the room with Alyssa, Kelsey, Tyler, and Tess. The moment Emmy sees Shayna, she runs over and pulls her into a hug, jumping and giggling like two long-lost friends finally reunited.
“Restroom,” Connor grunts before heading toward our half bath.
I blink. That was weird, but I don’t have time to analyze it too much before there’s another knock at the door.
“I’ve got it.” Alyssa walks past me and returns a few minutes later with Austin at her heels. He’s a giant, making Alyssa look short, even at five feet eight inches. But he’s the definition of a gentle giant. Austin is one of the kindest people I know, and I love that he’s stayed true to who he is, despite the fame he claimed overnight when he became the starting shortstop for the Mustangs a few years back. I can’t help but think that it reminds me of someone else I know. Someone with brown hair and blue eyes who makes women around the world swoon.
Especially me.
“Hey, Austin.” Kelsey gives him a side hug. “I didn’t think you could make it.”
“I was supposed to have a team dinner, but it was postponed due to the weather.”
“We Southerners hate driving in ice,” Shayna teases before stepping forward and hugging him. “We’re happy to have you.”
Austin opens his arms to me next, and I give him a quick squeeze before stepping back beside Shay.
She turns to me with a smile. “Lyss was supposed to be your partner, so we need to find someone else”—Shayna shimmies her shoulders—“to fill in.”
“Sorry, I messed up the trivia team plans.” Austin slings his arm around Alyssa’s shoulder. I really wish they’d just date already. They would make the most beautiful children. Aside from how great their genetics would look when combined, they’re perfect for each other in every way…if only they’d see it. “I don’t have to participate,” he says.
“Don’t be silly.” I pull my phone out of the back pocket of my jeans. “I’ll call Griffin.”
We planned this before Christmas—before we’d hadthe talk—so I hadn’t invited Griffin to our trivia night for obvious reasons, but now I’m buzzing in anticipation at the thought of spending more time with him.
I step into the kitchen and hit the call button next to his name. He answers on the second ring.
“To what do I owe the pleasure oftheMallory Porter calling me?” I can hear the smile in his voice.
“Can’t I call you for no apparent reason?” I hum.
“You can call me anytime you want.”
His words send a chorus of butterflies in my stomach into flight. “What are you doing?”
“Tonight?”
“Right now, actually.”
“I just got back from dinner at Granny’s facility. She said to tell you hi, by the way.”
“That’s sweet.” My palms get clammy. I didn’t think I’d be nervous to invite him over, but this will be our first time being around my friends as a true couple. Er, people dating. I don’t know exactly what to call us right now.
