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“Were you not paying attention because you were too busy enemies-to-lover-ing with Memphis?”
I stick my tongue out. “I am not here topay attentionto anyone.”
She shoves her fists into her sides. “Except me.”
“Definitely you.”
She chuckles, wadding up a few of her shirts and tossing them in a drawer. “I’m just saying. You’re single now. Doesn’t hurt to look.”
“Yeah, well, last time I looked, I got my heart broken.”
“Cheating asshole,” she mutters under her breath.
“Besides, even if I was interested in Austin—which I’m not—he lives in Florida. It’s not like anything could happen between us. I’d never see him, and long-distance relationships don’t work.”
“Easy there, Reverend. I’m not suggesting you marry the guy. I’m just saying…a weekend in a big house like this, you could have a little fun. And, if you don’t plan to, maybe I will.” She wiggles her shoulders, her tongue pressed to her teeth.
“Have at it,” I tell her.
“You sure?”
“Positive. If you like him, go for it.”
She grins. “Maybe I will.”
I smirk and shake my head, looking away as we hear a new voice downstairs that can only belong to Paulette. The last arrival.
“Paulette’s here. Guess that’s all of us.” Mara looks at me expectantly.
I grin and head for the door. “Guess so. Let the games begin.”
She clears her throat and gives me a prim and proper look. “I believe you mean: Chapter One.”
CHAPTERTHREE
Once Paulette has unloaded her bags into her room, the group gathers in the dining room downstairs. It’s a large, open room with wallpaper covering the top half of the walls, a fireplace on the far side of the room, and a chandelier dangling from the yellowing ceiling.
The hardwood floor is covered with an oversized rug with a pattern that reminds me of evil faces more than the flowers it’s meant to be. Their features are distorted—a deep maroon color—and seem to be frowning at me.
From where I stand behind one of the dining room chairs around the table, I take in the sight of everyone.
Paulette is lying across one of the wingback chairs in the corner, her long legs draped over the arm. She’s wearing a shirt with a portrait of two opossums on a magic carpet, with the wordsI can show you some trasharound them. I know from her profile that she creates her shirts herself, which makes this even funnier.
“So, what should we do first?” Mara asks, bouncing up on her tiptoes, practically giddy with excitement.
“I don’t know about y’all, but I’m starving,” Austin says, looking around. “How are we going to do meals while we’re here?”
“Good question,” Mara says. “Everyone ordering their own? Or are we taking turns cooking and paying for everything? Are there any allergies here? Or sensitivities? I don’t do well with dairy, but I can manage to avoid that in most things. Maybe we should go to the grocery store together and split the cost? I don’t care either way, I just need to eat something.”
“Same,” Logan agrees, picking a piece of lint off the shoulder of his shirt. “Did anyone drive, by the way?” He looks around as everyone shakes their heads.
“Uber it is, then,” says Paulette with a deep, goofy laugh. “Anyone want a special gummy before we go?” She lifts up a clear bag of gummy bears, and I don’t have to ask what she means byspecial.
“I’m good.” Memphis is the first to speak up.
Austin zips across the room, digging his hand in the bag and popping two in his mouth. “Oh my god, you’re my hero. How did you manage to get those on the plane?”
She winks. “Never travel without ’em.”
