Page 46 of Secrets and S'mores
“Then how about this? I’ll spare you details about your brothers if you tell us about you and Onyx,” Hazel teases.
Scowling at her, I press my lips together.
“Please? I’m dying to know. I need details so I can tease him,” Marigold whines.
Taking a fortifying sip of strawberry slush, I begin. “Remember the last pack party?”
“Um, yeah. It was last week,” Hazel says.
“We kinda had a thing.”
“A thing?” Marigold is almost bouncing in her seat.
“Yeah, he was annoying me, and next thing I knew, he kissed me.” My cheeks burn against my palms as I attempt to hide my face.
“Holy kitty-titties, are you serious?” Hazel says, leaning forward in her chair. “So you guys make out, and then we ask him to watch over you while you stay with us.” Her words tumble into laughter. “What are the chances?”
“Well done there,” Marigold adds, grabbing another handful of cheese puffs.
Tentatively, I reach for some chips. They’re delicious, and they give me an excuse to pause my story.
“So what about after you arrived? How did you go from a random kiss to saying you’re dating?” Hazel licks the sugar off the rim of her drink.
“I don’t know. We were just spending time together. He’s such a flirt,” I whine.
Hazel laughs. “Yeah, he really is.”
“Ew,” Marigold says, pulling a face.
“When I was upset, he was sweet. He comforted me.”
“I bet he wascomforting,” Marigold mutters.
“So yesterday we were feeding the chickens and goats, and I kinda pranked him,” I say.
“Oh, we should prank the boys!” Marigold interrupts me, swinging her feet down to the floor as if she’s about to jump up. “Sorry, continue, I want to hear everything, please.”
Despite my embarrassment, I can’t stop smiling. “I just stuck apple slices in his hoodie and the goats were all over him.”
“Good one,” Hazel says with an approving smirk.
“That still doesn’t get you to dating. When did he make his move?” Marigold says.
“We kissed right after that.”
“Ooh!” she squeals. “And he confessed his feelings?”
“Actually, Cedar caught us making out,” I say, unable to meet their eyes.
Marigold sets her drink down and leans forward. “Dammit, I thought I was the first one to know!”
“What? You figured it out?”
“Honey, he came in smelling like you so strongly, I knew he had been all over you.”
“Oh, no.” I would melt into the cushion if I could.
“Jasper and Marigold did the same thing, don’t worry,” Hazel says, rolling her eyes at Marigold.
