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Although the terminology ‘geek out’ is somewhat offensive, it is true Juniper does tend to be slightly obsessive over animals. It’s understandable as she manages the wildlife refuge. I would be concerned if she wasn’t interested in animals.
“No!” Aspen warns. “We aren’t going to discuss how Juniper’s an animal freak or Lilac’s an engineering freak or how Ellery works too much or how Ashlyn’s a troublemaker.”
“Hey! I can’t help it if trouble finds me. I don’t make it,” Ashlyn claims.
Juniper snorts. “Because you’re not the one who stole all the laundry from Feather’s clothing line.”
Ashlyn harrumphs. “Feather shouldn’t have claimed her ice cream sundaes were better than Rowan’s cakes. Everyone knows Bake Me Happy is the best bakery this side of the Mississippi. Feather’s Frozen Delights can’t compare. Besides, she got the chance to contact the police, and Peace showed up with his sweaty t-shirt molded to his chest. She should thank me for temporarily relieving her of her clothes.”
“Didn’t I literally just say we weren’t going to discuss Ashlyn’s troublemaking ways?” Aspen asks.
“I don’t know. Lilac, did Aspen use the word literal correct in her question?” Ellery asks.
I narrow my eyes on her. “Are you being sarcastic?”
“Whoop! Whoop!” Ashlyn circles her arm in the air. “Lilac the literal understands sarcasm. Two points for Lilac. Zero for Aspen.”
“Life isn’t a competition,” Aspen claims.
Ashlyn snorts. “It so is.”
“In which case, I’m winning since I’m living with a movie star,” Juniper claims.
If I was prone to rolling my eyes, I would at her proclamation. It took Juniper months to forgive Maverick Langston for what she thought he did and agree to move in with him.
“Why does living with a movie star make you the winner? I’m married to a former NFL quarterback with a Super Bowl ring who also makes the most delicious Red Velvet pancakes in the world.”
Ellery moans in agreement. “His Red Velvet pancakes are to die for.”
“Well, I’m married to the Chief of Police who can arrest all of you for annoying me.”
“No, he can’t,” I tell Aspen. “Being annoying isn’t a criminal offense for which the police can charge a person.” If it were, my sisters would spend all of their time in jail.
Ashlyn wiggles her left hand toward Aspen and her diamond ring sparkles. “And you’re not married.”
“But I set a date. I’m as good as married.”
“When are you getting married? I need to add the date to my calendar to ensure I have off or my boss will have me working late.”
At the reminder of how working late ended up the other night, I feel my cheeks warm. Beckett’s kiss is all I’ve been able to think about since it happened, which does not make me happy. Usually, I have perfect control over my emotions, but with Beckett, I feel out of control. He has too much influence over me.
Even if the man wasn’t my boss, I wouldn’t pursue a relationship with him. I need to be in control at all times and the one thing I am not in is control when it comes to Beckett.
“Is everyone seeing this?” Ashlyn asks and taps my cheek.
I rear back. When did she approach? And how did I not notice? This is why I can’t be with Beckett. He messes with all my senses.
Juniper raises her hand. “I bear witness to this phenomenon.”
“Me too!” Aspen also raises her hand.
“Yep!” Ellery’s the last to raise her hand.
“What is going on now? What are you talking about?”
Normally, I don’t understand when my sisters act this way, but I’m afraid I know the answer this time.
“Nuh-uh.” Ashlyn wags her finger. “You’re not getting away with crawling into your ‘I don’t understand what’s going on’-hole.”
