I want to make him mine…
He whispers against my ear, “Greenismy favorite color.”
Chapter Nine
Karoline - Present
Atongue piercing couldbe cool.
“Yeah, I’d do it. That sounds less painful than trying to write a book. No offense, Luce.”
The freckled, petite red-head shrugs. “You’re not wrong. Okay, Lor. Would you rather eat McDonald’s once a day for a week or never purchase another plant ever again?”
We all shift our eyes to Lorelei, who is deep in thought—too much so if you ask me. To any other person, the answer would be obvious. But for Lorelei Spence, choosing is proving to be as difficult as I assume her twin meant it to be.
Finally, she says, “I have over thirty plants between here and my office. As long as I continue to take good care of them, I feel I could be satisfied never buying another one. But eating McDonald’s for a week sounds like a death wish. So, I’m going to go with never buying another plant.”
“I would choose Micky D’s no matter the other option. Their fries are delicious! Especially dipped in barbeque sauce.” Hadley grins while Lorelei scrunches her face in disgust. “Okay, your turn, Luce. Would you rather be single forever or never publish your books?”
“Does it sound bad if I say I’d rather never publish? I love my stories, don’t get me wrong, but I would much rather live a lifelong romance than write fictional ones.” She sighs. “But until that moment comes, I’ll continue to write and eventually publish.”
“That doesn’t sound bad.” I place my hand on Lucy’s shoulder. “I think most of us women would rather live a romance than read or write about it.”
“Ten out of ten recommend,” Hadley pipes in with a giggle. Lucy shoves against her. Across from me, Lorelei twiddles her fingers. She’s the only one to have never had a boyfriend before. I don’t think it’s on purpose, but I don’t know for sure as I’ve never outright asked her.
The game of Would You Rather continues until the oven dings, indicating our enchiladas are ready. The smell is intoxicating, effectively lighting a fire under my bum to get our mango-flavored mocktail mixed. Hadley doesn’t drink due to her past battle with it, so if we are all hanging out with her, we steer clear of any alcoholic beverages.
Once we have all made our plates and have sat down at the circular, white-distressed wooden table, we dig in. Hadley immediately drips enchilada sauce down her white sweater, causing us to all spill sauce in a fit of giggles. She’s notorious for spilling her food all over herself when she eats, no matter how careful she is.
“One day,” she growls. “One day I will eat a meal without wearing it, too.”
“Never gonna happen, Hads.” Lucy shoves a spoonful of rice into her mouth.
We continue eating, occasional light conversation taking place between enchilada bites and sips of our mocktails. When we all have empty plates, we each take turns washing our dishes—no sense in leaving the twins with a load to wash considering there isn’t a dishwasher in the apartment.
“Okay. Who’s down for another game?” Lucy asks.
Hadley yawns. “As much fun as this has been, I think it’s time for me to get back home to my hubby.”
Lucy and I stick our tongues out playfully at Hadley and her happily married self, but Lorelei steps in and gives her a hug goodbye and says, “I think I’m going to turn in, too. Feel free to stay over, Karoline.”
We all exchange hugs and goodbyes, but before Hadley makes it all the way out the door, she says, “Oh! I almost forgot. Lucy, I’m setting you up with my friend, Finley. You met him at the wedding, remember? He’s gone back to his home country for a month, but when he comes back, he’s already agreed to a blind date with you.”
Lucy has to pick her jaw up off the floor. “You’re the best, Hads!” She jumps to Hadley for one more hug, then Hadley’s out the door.
Lucy and I help Lorelei finish cleaning up the kitchen while Lucy goes on and on about the possibility of marrying a prince.I had no idea he was a prince, but apparently Lucy had social-stalked him after the wedding and found out the secret. The twins still hadn’t told Hadley that they knew who he truly was, so I encouraged them to do that soon. Secrets don’t make friends, after all.
“Goodnight, ladies. Love y’all,” Lorelei says, drying her hands on the kitchen towel. As Lorelei disappears into her room, Lucy and I sprawl out on the small, cocoa-colored loveseat couch, instantly joined by their two Abyssinian cats, Frannie and Frizzle, who had been hiding out in Lorelei’s room.
Frizzle hisses at me when I attempt to pet her, but she curls up sweetly in Lucy’s lap.
“Don’t mind her. She’s a brat sometimes.” Lucy runs her fingers through Frizzle’s coat. Frannie, bless her, allows me to pick her up, set her on my lap, and snuggle her. “Yeah, she’s the nicer of the two.”
We are sitting there, loving on the cats, when Lucy clears her throat. “So, Mason Kane, huh?”
I almost made it the entire night without the mention of his name. I should have known Lucy was waiting to get us alone.
“I saw you crying on New Year’s Eve,” I redirect. “I meant to text you but got caught up taking care of my cousin. Everything okay?”
