But Ineedto be capable of it if I’m going to fully embrace this idea of living my life for me.
“It’s so much harder when your parents are your bosses at a job you love,” I whisper.
Sabrina hooks her arm around my waist and lays her head against my arm, studying me in the mirror too. “I know, sweetie.”
“Okay. Let’s do this. Gotta have a story to tell my grandkids about the time I scandalized the family by wearing a bikini one time.”
“Oh, Laney,” she says on a laugh. “Only you.”
“Can I have another mai tai?”
She grabs hers from the marble sink and hands it to me.
I take a big gulp, and yep.
I can do this.
Who knew?
I walk out of the bathroom with my head held high, pretending I’m Sabrina instead ofPrincess Plainy-Laney. Helps that I’ve slipped my sunglasses back on so that no one can see straight through to the insecurities lining my soul.
I admire the hell out of women who are confident enough to wear bikinis at the pool, so why am I calling myself all kinds of horrible names in my head?
Out, voices, I order.You lie. Be gone.
Sorta works.
But not fully.
Not when I realize everyone around and in the pool is turning to stare at me, including the Sullivan triplets, who werenothere when I left to go shopping.
And now the voices are getting louder.
Laney’s having a breakdown. Laney’s out of control. What will Laney’s parents say?
How old is old enough to no longer worry about what people say about you? Not asking for a friend.
“They are totally checking you out,” Sabrina whispers beside me.
“Are you sure they don’t think I’ve lost my mind?”
“The men are all idiots thinking you’ve done this for them and it’s their lucky day. Claire’s proud of you and cheering you on, even if she doesn’t know exactly why. And Theo is shitting himself right now realizing he’s been an ass to the sexiest woman in Snaggletooth Creek for the past twenty years.”
“Eww. I don’t want to swim in a shitted-in pool.”
Sabrina laughs so hard a little snort slips out.
I smile and the tension in my neck eases. There’s nothing like making one of your best friends honestly snort-laugh to make you feel all kinds of better when you’re afraid you’re nothing more than Ms. Frumpy McBoringPants.
“Oh, yeah, Laney, the triplets aretotallychecking you out,” she whispers, still giggling. “If you need help telling them apart, don’t worry. I’ve got you.”
“I think I can tell your triplet cousins apart,” I whisper.
“Really? Which one’s checking you out the most?”
“Not fair. Your most and my most are way different.”
“Laney. Jack just let an entire piece of calamari fall out of his mouth.”
