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But unlike with her gran’s party, no one’s gonna pull her fucking away. They like her, they welcome her, and the hell I’m gonna have to face in the form of pointed questions and teasing?
Worth it.
I drag her up against me. “You’re fuckin’ amazing, Sidney.”
I kiss her softly.
“You know your mom’s looking.”
I laugh. “Of course, she is. Welcome to the Burns family, Princess.”
* * *
My mom is not subtle with her matchmaking. Even Dad’s edged away. Sidney sits on the sofa with Mom on one side and Rose on the other. Isaac’s come by, and they’re chatting. Sarah’s off with Dakota, and Lawson’s on the phone.
“I’m just saying that Sidney should stay, if she freelances.”
“Mom.” I cut her a warning look as she pretends to be clueless. The woman has a mind that rivals state-of-the-art steel traps. “Quit it.”
“It’s okay,” my Princess says. “Really.”
“You just opened a whole can of worms there, Sidney.”
“Worms?” London’s little voice pipes up. “I like worms.”
She turns and puts her little filthy hands on her grubby jeans, just like how she’s seen Rose stand when she’s ready to face someone off.
“Do you have worms, Princess Sindy?” London asks, not getting Sidney’s name right.
Just like that, London’s shyness over Sidney is gone as she bombards Sidney with a million worm-related questions. I tune out when she asks if the worms have teeth or lasers.
“That girl,” my dad says, patting me on the shoulder.
I get up from the armchair and head into the kitchen for some of Mom’s kombucha, which is her latest thing. It’s funky as shit but good.
Dad’s followed and is currently staring into the contents of the fridge like it holds answers.
“London’s helping me with the Jag.”
He chuckles and selects a beer, twisting off the top. “Not the girl I meant.” He points the bottle at me. “Yours. She’s something.”
I groan. “You’re as bad as Mom.”
“Nah, but she’s not wrong. And you’re crazy about her. Feeling looks to be mutual.”
“She’s passing through.” I take a swallow of the fermented drink.
Dad shrugs. “People can unpass and stay.”
“Not a word.”
My father eyes me a moment and shrugs, and I know it’s only over for fucking now.
I want to say I’d change her mind if I could, but she’s got some secrets she holds on to and I don’t know why. And who the fuck is this Victor?
“The weather’s not gonna be good next week or so, Mack.”
“We have the fire ban.”
