Lucky plops between us, her expensive perfume rising like a floral plume. “She’s about to get laid—which would explain her need to vomit and blush at the very same time.”
I swat her. She might be accurate, but her need to be heard could cost me my weekend. God knows this place is crawling with ears just itching to get some dirt on me and my vagina.
“I’m not about to vomit,” I’m quick to correct. “That’s disgusting. I’m just”—words fail to describe how I’m feeling—“wishing I had someone experienced to talk to, that’s all. And the two of you are letting me down at the moment.”
Harper’s mouth falls open, dumbfounded. “You and Grant?”
“No, Professor Dividovich and me. Yes, Grant and me.” I glance to Lucky and knock my knee into hers. “You two are keeping this really low-key, got it? If word gets back to Owen, Grant won’t be the only one fearing my brother.”
“I’m not talking.” Lucky says it so fast you’d think the shoe were on the other foot.
Harper doesn’t bother to hide the fact she’s staring me down. “You sure this is the guy? You’re about to give him a pretty huge gift. It’s a one-time deal. Once you turn in that V-card, it’s impossible to get it back, and don’t believe all that surgical crap they throw at you on TV. You will not be able to snip and tuck your way back to your virginity.”
Lucky grunts, “First,eww, and second, I’m giving mine away to a far less worthy cause when the time comes. What Grant and Ava have is the real deal. I’ve never seen two people swoon so hard and actually mean it.”
Lucky is gearing up to be quite the WB lap bunny. She can hardly wait to put her tramp stamp on any and every boy she pleases. For as many things Lucky and I have in common, setting my goals on becoming a ho-bag isn’t one of them. Although, thankfully, she’s yet to initiate Operation Sink My Teeth into the Male Population at Large. There’s still hope for me to talk her out of it before her trollop days ever begin.
“It’s true,” I sing. “I’m swooning hard. I can’t wait actually. Grant”—I stop shy of using his surname because, well, I can’t recall ever hearing it—“what’s Grant’s last name?” I scowl at the two of them before they can laugh, but it doesn’t stop them.
“Jones.” Harper rolls her eyes so far back she looks like a slot machine. “It’s Grant Jones you’re about to lose you virginity to.”
“Shhh!” I lean in so hard, I practically knock over all of our drinks.
Grant Jones. My stomach flinches when I hear his full name, and for the life of me I can’t figure out why. Most likely because my two best friends have decided to morph into megaphones and announce my steamy weekend plans to everyone in the tiny café. I’m lucky Piper isn’t in here. God knows that would go over well. I’d just love to see Miss I’m-Not-Here-To-Spill-Your-Secrets keep this little vaginal nugget from my brother.
“Yes, Grant Jones and I have quite the special plans this weekend. I’m meeting his parents first, so there goes awkward event number one.” Not that I think being with Grant in that way will be awkward but, well, based on the fact I have zero experience in that area it might—I’ve already accepted the fact I’ll embarrass myself. How I wish I could get ahold of Aubree, but then I can’t chance her finally growing some morals and ratting me out to my brother. Nope. I’m willing to risk a blunder or two than have the entire event nixed right off my calendar. “So, what’s new with you two? You’re both going home on Wednesday, right?”
Lucky nods. “Daisy is whipping up some disaster in the kitchen, and Jet wants me to pitch in. And just like a man, he’ll probably be glued to a football game.”
Harper shudders as if the idea offended her just as much. “I can’t wait to get home and see my sister. Okay, so that was a tiny lie. I really am excited about seeing Harley, but Justin is back in town!” She squeals so loud, I’m half-afraid she’s just inhaled her straw. “I promised myself I wouldn’t get all giddy like some sick schoolgirl, but who am I kidding? Justin is back!” She growls it out as if Justin were a rock star and she was about to have a meet-and-greet after the big concert. “His school gives him the entire week off, so I was thinking of taking off right after poly sci on Tuesday.” Stars light up in her eyes as she wanders emotionally to that spastic place Justin seems to have the power to sweep her off to.
“Yay Justin.” Lucky gives the lackluster cheer without hiding the disgust on her face. I think at this point neither Lucky nor I are fans of the aforementioned quasi-rock star. Anyone who toys with our good friend whenever he feels like it can’t be a great guy. I’ve seen her elated and equally as devastated—most of the time on the very same day. This guy is bad medicine, and Harper needs a cure for his sorry ass, stat.
We finish up our coffee and head out into the frozen tundra that’s taking over our universe. It hasn’t quite snowed yet, but Jack Frost is breathing down our necks, threatening to make good on every icy promise.
Daisy comes up from around the corner and offers a cheery wave.
Lucky dives into the stairwell at the sight of her, and I don’t even bother reprimanding the girl because I would love some serious one-on-one time with my substitute big sister.
“I’ll see you later, Harp.” I bump her hip as we go our separate ways. “Hey, Daisy!” I give her a quick hug and pull her under the awning in front of Cutler Tower. “Do you have a sec?”
“For you, I have a week.” She offers a flirtatious wink as we head into the commons area and find a seat near the fire. “What’s up, butternut? Get it? Butternut squash? Oh never mind, I’ve got a grocery list on my mind the size of a phonebook. Tell me something good to get my mind off the dinner I’m about to burn come Thursday.”
A warm laugh trembles from me. Here it is, my moment to glean a bit of knowledge before Grant and I take that next step in our relationship.
“Okay, I really want to share something, but I absolutely need you to promise that what I’m about to say stays right here. Neither Jet nor Owen can know about this.” I mouth the wordsorry. “But we both know Jet pretty much equals my brother.”
Daisy’s light demeanor quickly dissolves, and she sobers up before offering a nod of agreement. “It stays right here.” She kisses the tips of her fingers before saluting me.
And I spill it. I pour all of my carnal intentions at Daisy Pembrooke’s Jimmy Choo adorned feet and hold my breath as she processes it all.
“Oh my word.” She blinks back, surprised. “Oh my word,” she repeats before pressing her hand to her chest. “Oh, honey.” Tears come to her eyes as she fans herself with her fingers. “I guess you could say you caught me off guard. Didn’t you and this boy just meet?” Daisy looks genuinely startled. “I mean—um—perhaps you should wait until, I don’t know, after the new year? Valentine’s Day!” She shouts that last part out so fast and loud you would think we were in the middle of a guessing game.
“Valentine’s Day is more than three full months away. An entire eternity according to my hormones.” I add that last bit for levity, but Daisy seems far too weighed down by what I just shared. Crap. Immediate regret sets in, and now I wish that time came with a rewind button.
“I know. It is kind of far.” She winces. “I’m sorry.” Her eyes flit to the windows as if she’s expecting someone—afraid someone might pop in and hear. Daisy lets out a giant sigh and sags into a puddle. “I know you think you’ve found the one.” She shakes her head, looking right at me. “But do you reallyknowthis boy, Ava?”
“Of course, I know him.” Now it’s me blinking back with surprise. “Why does it suddenly feel like you’re judging me?”
