AllFreeNovel
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“What’s happening?”
“Are you going on a date with a chick with a big rack?”
I stop mid-bite. “Did you call me in here to ask that? How did the news even travel in here?”
“Eric, plus I saw the photo.”
“Jesus Christ, I’m just doing him a favor.”
“No, you’re not. You’re selfish and want to get laid. And as your sane cousin, I’m telling you it isn’t a good idea.”
I observe Millie using a cutting shape thing that cuts the watermelon into the shape of a bunny.
“You’re cutting watermelon into bunnies. You really think you’re sane?”
She places the cutter down. “What about Jessa?”
“What about Jessa?”
“How does she feel about this?”
“I don’t know, and besides, what does it matter? We’re just friends, you know.”
“You’re best friends, Andy,” Millie reiterates. “And we all know there’s something more to it.”
“We?”
“Yes, we, your family.”
“You mean you and Ava?”
Ava walks into the kitchen, her timing impeccable.
“Are we talking about the big rack chick?”
I bury my face in my hands, wondering what I did to deserve this when my intent was to help Eric out with a favor. A favor I’m regretting on all accounts.
“Go on, what is it you need to say?” I question Ava as she turns to look at Millie and something passes between them. “I’ll wait here so eagerly waiting for my opinionated cousins to have their say.”
“You’re in love with Jessa,” they say in unison.
I shake my head with a hard smile, staring at both of them despite neither of them backing down. Their matching emerald eyes try to intimidate me, but I’ve spent my whole life around these two to not even bat an eye at their overbearing behavior and opinions.
“And I’m leaving,” is all I tell them, ignoring the conversation and heading back outside.
Jessa avoids me for the rest of the party, purposely distancing herself with all the girls. I wait around for the cake to be brought out, then the singing which makes Ashton cry in Millie’s arms. Poor fella, too much attention for the bug-eating birthday boy.
Eric corners me again, more details which get lost in my thoughts. I watch Jessa across the yard, and on occasion, her eyes fall upon me, but they quickly glance elsewhere when she catches me looking.
It’s Millie’s and Ava’s fault. They’re putting thoughts into my head that shouldn’t be there.
Jessa is my best friend—that’s it.
And family since we share the same cousins although not technically related to each other. When we were growing up, Jessa hung out with us a fair bit being only a few years younger than Millie, Ava, and me.
I shake my head, grab a drink, then check the time. We’ve been here for hours, with most of the little kids hitting their nap time and losing their shit on the way out. A few calmed down to receive their party favor, but the meltdowns were next level. One boy hid in the corner of the bouncy castle, refusing to leave. The poor single mom dressed in her nice blouse and jeans with heels was at a loss of what to do.
Of course, Rocky saved the day, pulled the kid out, and then whipped out his charm. You could almost see the steam coming out of Nikki’s ears.
