Page 40 of It Runs in the Family

I washed my hands with plenty of soap, then shut the bathroom door behind me as I headed straight for the coffee maker to pour myself a cup.

“Maybe…” I reached into the cabinet to grab a mug. “Maybe he dropped me off at the door, and I came inside and threw up on myself, then rinsed out my dress and went to bed.”

“And put a glass of water and ibuprofen next to your bed?” Ava asked in disbelief.

I poured coffee into my mug and grimaced. “Maybe…”

“And wrote yourself a note?” Mary Ellen asked, sounding entirely too giddy as she held up a piece of paper, then read, “Spitfire, your dress is in the tub. I tried to wash it out, but I’m not sure I did a good job.” She looked up and grinned before dropping her gaze to the paper. “There’s water and some ibuprofen for when you wake up. As promised, your virtue remains intact. Boner.”

She glanced up again, grinning like a fool. “Boner?”

Cringing, I took a sip of coffee, then said, “Your nickname for him. He read your text on my phone.”

God. This was so embarrassing.

I’d vomited last night. Had it happened in his truck or in my apartment? Because the condition of my dress made it clear I hadn’t made it to a toilet or trash can.

“He took off your dress,” Ava said, waggling her eyebrows.

I rolled my eyes and took another sip of my steaming coffee.

“And your bra,” Mary Ellen said, her eyes twinkling with delight. “I saw it in the tub.”

“Which was likely covered in vomit too,” I pointed out. “Nothin’ sexier than vomit.”

Both girls made faces.

This was why I never let loose and had fun like Ava and Mary Ellen. I couldn’t handle that much liquor. Even watered-down stuff.

“Did you get his number?” Ava asked.

“I don’t remember getting his number.”

“Where’s your phone?” Mary Ellen asked, then didn’t wait for an answer as she headed back to my bedroom. Seconds later, she walked out with it in her hand. “It was plugged into the charger.”

“Oooh,” Ava said, “Hot and thoughtful.”

I had to admit it was thoughtful, and so was the note and the water and Advil. Maybe I should give him a chance after all. But then I realized I’d probably never see him again. And if he’d had to deal with my puking, he probably wanted to keep it that way. Not that I blamed him.

“You really don’t remember sleeping with him?” Mary Ellen asked with a pout.

“Like I said, the last thing I remember is falling asleep in his truck. Besides, the note said he didn’t.”

“He could have just said that,” Ava pointed out.

I considered it for a moment, then shook my head, sending a fresh wave of pain through my temple. “No. I trust him.”

My cousins exchanged a look.

“What?” I asked defensively.

“No offense,” Ava said.

“But you have terrible lie-detecting skills when it comes to men,” Mary Ellen finished.

“You’re the one who told me to sleep with him!”

“Sleep with him, not trust him,” Ava said with a sigh. “Mary Ellen and I both slept with guys last night and trusting them wasn’t part of the package.” She waggled her eyebrows. “And oh, what a package.”