“Are you serious? Who killed my best friend and replaced her with this weirdo?”
“Huh?” Kiki looks bewildered.
“All this relationship chat,” I explain with a frown. “It’s bugging me out. We’re eighteen, Kik.”
“So? I'm not saying marry the guy, I’m just saying—you have good sex, you get along, you’re both hot…just see where it goes.”
I study my nails, hoping she stops talking about this.
I’m fine with casual; I’ll know when I want to be with someone. As gorgeous as Jaden is, he’s not boyfriend material.
Plus, my brother would kill him.
“Crane is living with us.”
I'm desperate to change the subject, but Kiki finds this just as interesting, her eyes glittering with excitement.
“Have you walked in on him in the shower yet?”
There’s the Kiki I know and love.
“No, and I don’t intend to. He’s hot, but he’s got issues.”
I sigh, feeling bad for talking about Crane's troubles.
Not that I know what they are, exactly, but I have a hunch.
“Daddy issues!” Kiki grins, pulling her top over her head.
I avert my eyes from her dark nipples as she fishes out a bra.
“I’d be walking in on him all the time.”
“Not if you’re with Gregory!” I point out, watching idly as Kiki dresses.
“Shall we go down today? To the Ink Station? I’ve got to go to Potion anyway.”
I roll over onto my stomach, staring at the image of the tattoo.
“I could, but it would have to be hidden. So, under my hip, I’m thinking. Would it hurt there?”
“Who cares? I’d let Rafe burn me.” Kiki practically drools, shaking her hips to pull on the tightest pair of shorts she owns.
“True.”
“Get ready then. I’ve got our IDs, you’re Nelly Groove.”
“Nelly Groove?What sort of name is that?” I splutter, sitting up.
“A fake one,” Kiki replies with a shrug. “Who cares; just get ready.”
Twenty minutes later, I’m tugging down the bottom of my dress, aware that it's short, even by my standards.
“I love that dress. It brings out your eyes,” Kiki croons, gazing at me.
The powder blue dress may be short, but it’s demure—high-necked and long-sleeved. I pair it with black boots that may once have been Doc Martens, messing up my hair to give it the beach babe look.
“It’s so cute,” I agree, twirling in the mirror. “I hope Rafe likes it.”
