Page 115 of Always: A Legacy Novel

Cross wasn’t sure how to answer.

Catherine saved him. “Yeah, like mom. Now get, and stop the teasing.”

“Sure, Catty.”

Her cousin left, tugging on her hair as he went and earning himself a glare from Catherine that wasn’t very scary at all.

“Ass,” she mumbled under her breath.

“Be nice,” Cross told her. “You only get one family, after all.”

She scrunched up her nose. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Say things like that. You sound like my father or uncles when they’re in one of their rants. Just … wow, don’t ever, ever do that, Cross.”

He snaked an arm around her waist, and brought her in close enough to his side that he could bury his laughter into her hair. She kissed the underside of his jaw, grinning all the while.

“Noted, sorry,” he said.

“You know they’re all going to call me that now, Cross? All of them. Now that one knows, it will pass around the family like wild fire. You don’t even understand.”

“You might be being over drama—”

“I am not, just you wait.”

“My bad,” he said to calm her.

Catherine frowned, but then quickly smiled. “Guess what?”

“What?”

“I was told to get the hell out of here if I wanted, since it’s my party and I can do what I want.”

Cross raised a brow. “You mean since you’ve basically smiled for five hours and all the adults have started pouring alcohol?”

He had to give them credit, though. They lasted until supper was served before the alcohol came out to play.

“I mean, yeah. Let them party now. I need to call, though, if I plan to stay out past twelve.”

“Did they know you meant to go with me, when you asked?”

“Yep. Dad opened his mouth to say something, and Ma glared, so … what do you think?”

Well, then …

“What did you have in mind?” he asked.

Catherine shrugged. “Anything, Cross. But you had a point. I’ve been smiling and people-ing all day.”

“People-ing is not a word.”

“Best one I had. I really just want to take my heels off and do nothing.”

“Do nothing, but not here.”

“Yep,” she said, popping the ‘p’ with a wink.