Page 96 of Holiday on the Rocks
“You look stressed.”
“I’m fine.”
“Clint being here is a lot. I can’t believe he came. How do you feel?”
“If you could look inside my brain, it would appear as if I’m losing a game of Jumanji.”
Lexi wore a grin that was a little too happy for me at the moment. “Royce said he’s been missing you so much. I hope you guys will give it another go. He’s so hot.”
“Time will tell.”
“Time? But you were bummed when you guys split.”
“I was. But once I moved away, I was good. I mean I missed him, but maybe not as much as I should’ve if he was the one for me. I just don’t think?—”
“You run every time you get into a relationship that’s good for you.” Lexi’s head shook. “That fucking Levi screwed you up.”
“I was my dream job. I was given a great opportunity and wanted to take it.”
Rachel’s eyes narrowed and my arm pits were suddenly sticky. “That’s a load of garbage, Allison. Instead of discussing the options or ways to make it work, you got scared and ran the first place you could.”
“Don’t judge me. I said it didn’t feel right, get off my ass.”
Kristina’s jumped in. “Girls, relax. Rachel and Lexi, we know you just care about Allie, but you have to calm down. Just because Clint showed up doesn’t mean Allie has to jump into his arms. This is her life. Maybe we should realize that she might be feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment?”
I kissed Kristina’s cheek. “Thank you.”
Rachel took a breath. “You’re right. I just wish stupid Levi wasn’t here. He’s history, but I know this is hard for you.”
“It’s been okay. We’re existing together here, and I’m not plotting his murder, so it’s really a win/win situation.”
Kristina giggled. “Levi’s smoking hot. Yup, every part of him.”
Rach and Lexi shot her dead with their eyes.
“We don’t talk about him, Kristina. Ever. He was responsible for almost killing Allie.”
Kristina’s smile was warm. “I get it. But sometimes you can’t just cut people out forever.”
Lexi kicked her feet up on the coffee table. “Can’t cut people out? Snippidy, snip mother fucker. He was bad for Allison from day one. It just took all hell breaking loose for her to see it.”
Kristina grabbed Lexi’s hand, squeezed it hard, and she yelped. “Let’s focus on expanding our vocabulary to include encouraging words.”
“I actually have a really big vocabulary for someone who says fuck so often.”
Kristina continued. “You’re acting?—”
Lexi flipped her hair. “Yes, I know I’m insane. We all know that, Kristina. But my intentions are gold and my heart pure. I love all you witches, and I just want Allie to open her mind to how amazing Clint is.”
Kristina took a breath. “I’m just saying it’s okay if Allie has doubts?—”
Lexi stood up. “Allie, you need to be done with doubts and insecurities. You’re fucking amazing and that’s just what it is.”
Rachel leaned forward. “We love you, Allie. How are you feeling?”
“Right now, I’m feeling that feeling when you don’t know what the hell you’re feeling.”
“That’s okay. You need to not think for a while.” Rachel stretched her arms over her head. “I’m going to bed. Let’s meet down here at eight thirty, okay? Everything will feel better in the morning. I’m sure the whole food thing won’t take too long and then we can all chill.”
