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Seriously, the little turds, what’s a girl gotta do to get a little privacy around here?
“I’m gonna kick your girly butts.” I started toward them and they took off running down the hall. I gave chase.
These two, I swear.
Chapter Fifteen
Jurnee
It was a nice Sunday afternoon,and I was elated that all three of us girls were off work today. It didn’t happen that often these days, but when it did, we planned time together and cherished every minute. Sure, we had our little tiffs as girls do and those living under the same roof are no exception, but for the most part, it was extraordinary how well we got along. Since the age of twelve, it had always been that way with us. We were three peas in a pod, not two as the saying generally goes.
Waking up early this morning, I had already gone over to the hospital to sit and read to some of the kids waging their battle against cancer. My heart hurt seeing them there, knowing how scared they must be, but I never let that show when I was around them. I had beat it and prayed every day they would too. Being part of a support system for them was important to me. It was something that at that time in my life I didn’t have, and I wanted to make sure I could do for others what people had not done for me.
Back home, and with my emotions on overload, I was so glad to hang with Summer and Alley right now. They always could bring a smile to my face, make me laugh, and lift my spirits. Changing into a cute pair of light jeans with rips in them, a fun little white tank top with a light green jean jacket, along with my white Converse, I threw my hair in a messy bun and headed to the living room. “Ready to go, who’s with me?” I yelled toward their rooms.
Both the girls came barreling down the hall. It was always so fascinating to me how our styles were so dissimilar, personalities unique to each of us and different, but we also enjoyed so many of the same things and had loads of laughs together. I knew they would always be there for me when I needed them, and they could count on me the same way.
Summer was in a long flowing flower print skirt with an array of colors and this cute yellow top, along with white sandals. Alley had on black jeans, a Scooby-Doo t-shirt because she loved the big goofy dog, and her black ankle boots. Grabbing their jackets they had laid on top of the couch, we headed out the door. A little fun, spending time with friends, and free time sounded damn nice.
“What is your pick for where we go first?” I asked Alley. Each of us got to choose something we wanted to do, and then we’d experience it together—that was the plan we set in motion when we found out we all had today off work. First up was Alley’s choice. I had a feeling I knew what she would say. Her love of books always gave her away. Summer and I loved reading too and supported her writing career with a passion; the same passion Alley puts into all her stories.And a whole lot more.
“I was thinking if it’s alright with you guys we could head down to Powell’s Books. I know I have been there a million times, but it’s been awhile and they have so much to look at. New, used, some books that are rare or out of print. That place is huge though, so if I get lost don’t forget to come find me in the stacks.” She laughed.
What did I tell you? I had the girl pegged.
At the bookstore, we’d split up for a while and then met back up after a short time. We found Alley in the romance section with a load of books in her arm. Like the girl needed more books, you would think she had already read everything under the sun by now. But she always said, ‘someone can never have too many books.’
“Wow, who’s the hottie on the top of that stack?” Summer asked her, pulling a book off the top of the stack Alley held in her arms.
“That’s one of J.E. Parker’s books. Remember I told you that I recently found a new author and read a couple of her books and you both needed to read them? Well, this is book three, and Evan here is one fine slice of hunk, wouldn’t you say?” Alley pretended to fan her face. “I have books one and two at home. I may leave those close by so I can glance at them from time to time.”
“Wait,” I said. “Is this the same author we caught you reading the other night and one minute you were laughing, the next crying, and then at one point you looked like you were hot and bothered?”
Alley started laughing. “That would be one and the same. The woman can write her ass off, and you guys will be digging into these books soon. I’m grabbing the others that are out in the series now that I don’t have. Did I tell you I talked to her in an author group the other day? She is so damn sweet, always willing to help others, and has a lot of good ideas, as well as being knowledgeable about so many things.”
“Well, that’s awesome. I’m all in with your glowing recommendation on how fabulous the stories are, and it’s a bonus that I can look at the front of these books over and over. I clearly remember the one with that hot ass fireman on it that was sitting on your bedside table that night we found you so engrossed in a story. Went to bed a little hot and bothered I must say.”
“Oh my God,” Summer said. “You sure that’s not Braxton making you that way?”
“That was her first book,Every Moment WithYou. Hendrix from the book will do that to you and more, just wait. I was readingEvery Breath You Take,the second book in the series, and Anthony the cop is equally yummy. But I agree with Summer, I’m pretty sure my brother has you reaching for the nightstand a lot more often these last few weeks.”
“Maybe,” I said nonchalantly, and we all busted a gut giggling. It was nice Alley didn’t get too weirded out about this conversation, although I was sure there would be a line drawn somewhere eventually. That’s if I ever got to that point, but boy did I want to get there.
Summer’s selection was next, so we left the bookstore and headed out to the Saturday Market in downtown Portland. It was called that but was still open on Sundays and we loved to check out all the vendors there, hang by the water, and grab some grub. Our girl loved this place and we always had fun coming together.
After wandering up and down the rows looking at all the amazing items people were selling, grabbing a few that really caught our attention, we decided it was time to eat. Heading over to the food trucks, we all settled on what we wanted and took our choices over by the water to munch down.
With the river beside us and a small fountain in front of us, we watched as boats went by and kids splashed through the shallow water coming from the fountain. The sun was out, music was playing, and it was a beautiful spring day; everyone was taking it in and having a great time. I adored days like this with my friends, but much as I was enjoying it my mind kept straying to Braxton.
The man is hard to forget. Obviously, something I couldn’t do even if I tried.
“Hey,” Alley said, waving her hand in front of my face. “You're in dreamland again, did you hear a word we said?”
“Sure I did.” I paused, thinking about my answer. “Okay, no I didn’t. What did you say?”
“Summer asked where you wanted to go next, but I think your mind was on my brother again. I can tell by that dreamy look you get in your eyes.”
Both laughing at me now, I just rolled my eyes and ignored them. “To top off the day and for my choice, I say we go get some Voodoo Donuts. You know how much I love to see what they have come up with.”
