But he is turning around and walking away with a muttered, “They missed you.”
“There’s my girl.” My mom squeezes me in a hug from the side. I glance up in time to see her wrinkle her nose at Theo’s backside.
And that’s all it takes to make me tense.
When I was little, Mom wore jeans and T-shirts to work. She had long hair that she pulled back in a ponytail, andgirls’ daymeant we camped out in her bathroom and painted each other’s toenails.
Now, she gets Botox. She also dyes her hair, and she keeps it short and chic.Girls’ daythese days means an all-day adventure to a high-end spa in Denver—yes, that’s what counts as anadventurein my life back home—and I think the last time she wore jeans was probably fifteen years ago. “Mom. Can youpleasebe nice to Theo?”
“I’m being perfectly nice.”
“You’re making faces at him.”
“We ran into Owen. He said you’ve been very friendly with Emma’s brother.”
“He’s a nice man.”
“I know, sweetie, but he has blinders on when it comes to his nephew.”
“Theois a nice man, Mom.”
Her lips purse again. “What’s this frown for? Emma’s gettingmarried. And we’re in Hawaii, and dinner smells fantastic. There’s an early morning dolphin cruise. We should go Sunday morning before you have to fly back home.”
“Mrs. Kingston! You made it.” Emma dashes across the lanai to hug my mom, then waves at my father, who’s standing with Chandler’s father close to the short walk to the beach.
“Oh, Emma, sweetie, you look beautiful. I can’t believe your day is finallytomorrow.”
Emma’s beam is only half-strength. “Me too. It’s beenforever, hasn’t it?”
“Good things are worth waiting for. Where’s your groom? I haven’t seen him yet.”
“Still cleaning up after golf. He’ll be here soon. Can I borrow Laney for a minute?”
“Of course, sweetheart. Anything you need.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Kingston. Oh! Chandler’s mom is over at the bar. Have you said hi to her yet? I know she’d love to see you.”
My mom heads to the bar.
Emma grabs my elbow in a death grip and hauls me back in the direction I’m usually hauling Theo.
“What’s wrong?” I whisper.
“You looked like you were about to bite your mother’s head off.”
“Em, I—”
She squeals and throws her arms around me. “I knew it! I knew you’d like Theo if you gave him half a chance. What do you need me to do to help handle your parents?”
I gape at her.
Like, I am a fish.
I amcompletelya fish.
“Laney. You’ve spent the past year saying you want to have fun. I knowno onewho’s more fun than Theo. And this wasn’t a setup. I really did need someone to keep him separated from Chandler. Butyou like him. And he’s had a crush on you forever. And this isthe best thing ever.”
“But—but—but you didn’t want Claire to babysit him because you were afraid he’d—he’d—”
