Page 18 of Jingl
“Yeah?” We never keep anything from the other, okay, aside from my feelings towards him. So I’m curious to see what he wants to talk about.
“I…” Trace scratches his chest as he stares at the ceiling, same as me. “I’m still not ready to label myself. I don’t know that I ever will be.”
My elbow dents the inflatable bed when I turn to face him. He does the same. We’re practically nose to nose. His dark eyes search mine. I want to lean in and kiss him, but I’m not sure where he’s going with his statement.
“You know it doesn’t matter. Labels don’t matter as long asyou’rehappy and comfortable.”
The tiniest quirk of a smile graces his face. “I knew you were going to say that.”
“It’s because it’s the only thing to say.”
Trace huffs out a breath from his nose. “I’m trying to say—”
A knock at the door startles us both and a head pokes in. Diana. “We’re—Oh. Uh. Sorr—”
We both flop around on the inflatable bed, trying to get to our feet.
Trace crosses his hands over his morning wood as if that will take the attention away from his boner. “Nothing happened. It was late, and I didn’t want Shae driving home tired and we’re going to hang out today anyway so…”
I nod in agreement. Surely my cheeks are cherry red.
Diana gives us a little smile as she opens the door fully. “It’s okay if somethingwashappening.” She leans against the doorjamb. “I mean, the two of you make sense. I’ve always wondered when—”
“Mom.” Trace groans.
“Right. Right. We’re meeting Peggy for breakfast at Felix’s Diner in about thirty minutes.” She turns to me. “Thank you for inviting your mom to meet us before we left. It’ll be good to see her in the flesh again.”
“She’s excited.” According to the texts.
“Okay, I’ll let the two of you get ready.” And just like that, Diana leaves us alone.
We let out a burst of laughter as we fall back onto the blow up bed. Our heads are so close, with our feet planted on the ground.
“Sorry ‘bout that.” Trace’s face is bright red, and the color drops under his collar. “I think she forgets I’m in my twenties now.”
“Aww, but you’re her youngest. She’ll probably always see you as a kid. At least weweren’tdoing anything. What if we were, and it was one of your niblings?” I give him big eyes and make him laugh. “They’d be scarred for life.”
Trace snorts.
There’s a loud pop and a hissing sound. The bed deflates rapidly beneath us until we’re a giggling mess on the floor, in a tangle of sheets and blankets. We lie there on the carpet just looking at each other.
“So what I wanted to say before the—”
“Uncle Trace!” one of the niblings yell just as both storm through the door. “Wake up! Wake up! Shae? Shaaaee! Wake up!” They’re both dancing around before they look at each other, then pounce on us.
I didn’t think a four-year-old could squish the breath out of me, but I was wrong. Kenzie keeps head butting me until I tickle her, then she’s squealing in my ear.
“Ahhhh! Tickles!” She attempts to tickle me back, but I keep a straight face.
“Nope. Can’t make me laugh.”
“Yeah, huh, I can!”
“There you two are!” Wendy rushes in and grabs her kids. “Gotta finish getting you dressed. Leave them alone so they can get ready.” They hurry out with the kids complaining.
And now I have a problem. “I don’t have anything to wear except what I came in last night.”
“You can wear something of mine again. I don’t mind.”
