Page 22 of The Kissing Part
“Oh my God!” I exclaim.
I laugh until my stomach hurts. Finally, I calm down and wipe my eyes. “Wow, I needed that. So whose anniversary is it? I want to make sure my gifts are personalized.”
“No gifts,” Harper says. “There’s too many of us to always be buying everyone gifts. We all chip in on a single gift. Anyway, you’ll be our guest, so no need to chip in.”
I swallow hard. “Oh.”
“What?” Harper asks.
I shrug. “When I used to live here, I kinda felt like part of the family.” My voice sounds small. Maybe I was always the outsider. Maybe my memories of the Campbell family and Clover Park are just nostalgic longing.
“Of course you’re part of the family!” Harper exclaims.
Mackenzie nods. “Everyone chips in twenty.”
I brighten. “I can do that. Who’s the anniversary couple?”
“Grandpop Joe and Grandmom Brandy,” Mackenzie says. “Mom never thought they’d last, but they’ve been happily married for seventeen years.”
I remember this family story because it was so unusual. Josh’s dad, Joe, met and fell in love with Hailey’s mom, Brandy, later in life. They got engaged, forcing Josh and Hailey to make amends after a long, contentious frenemies deal. And then, finally, Josh and Hailey fell in love too. They’re technically stepsiblings, but no one dares bring it up. Speaking of a frenemies deal…
“So what’s the latest with Nathan?” I ask Harper.
She sniffs. “I guess we’ll find out tonight. I haven’t seen him since last year when he told me my sundress looked like something an old woman would wear.”
“Because he wanted you in something skintight,” Mackenzie says with a sigh. “You have to read between the lines.”
“Nathan Brooks is a jerk,” Harper says. “Why’re we even talking about him?”
Mackenzie shakes her head. “You didn’t think he was a jerk when you met him in second grade. You told me he was your best friend.”
Harper bristles. “Second-grade me was an idiot. Fortunately, I have much better taste in friends now.” She reaches one arm around Mackenzie and one arm around me. “Like you ladies.”
Mackenzie laughs. “Unless there’s a spider in the vicinity, and then it’s every woman for themselves.” She turns to me. “She knocked me off the sofa trying to get away from a spider once.”
“How about when you crashed into me on roller skates while I was on my pogo stick?” Harper returns. “You know you wanted that pogo stick. Couldn’t wait your turn, as usual.”
And they’re off.
“You’re the one who never took turns, hogging Nikki’s Corvette,” Mackenzie says. “Always trying to make me be the boring guy doll with no car.”
“It wasmyCorvette!”
I smile as they throw out past incidents from childhood, where the other wronged them in the way only sisters could. God, I love these ladies. If anyone can help me figure out this thing with Owen, it’s them.
7
Owen
I finish getting ready in Shayla’s guest room and step out to the living room. Shayla’s bedroom door is open, but I won’t cross that line.
I call loudly enough for her to hear, “Will Frankie be here soon? I don’t want to be late for the party.” I roll up the cuffs of my white dress shirt. “I’ll be back to relieve him by midnight.”
She steps out of the bedroom in a sleeveless black dress, modest on top, but ending high on her thigh. My mouth goes dry as my gaze drifts down her bare toned legs to black-heeled sandals with straps that wrap around her ankles. I stare at those sexy legs in a sensual haze, imagining touching, kissing, and tasting all that skin.
“Actually, I’m going to the party too.”
My gaze jerks up to hers.No way. This was the one night I could relax without worrying about her safety. And let’s face it, without being tempted. I need space away from her to strengthen my willpower. I’m not sure if she’s doing it on purpose, but she seems to be wearing skimpier pajamas every night. Last night she wore what looked like a short silk dress that barely covered her ass.
