“No, the halter one. Keep digging.” Cozy chuckles.
I fling clothes around the room until I uncover the one she’s referring to.
“Yeah, that! And some cowboy boots! This place has a western vibe, doesn’t it?”
“I guess,” I say. “I’ve driven by it, but never been in there.”
“Well, he won’t know what hit him!”
“Cozy. We’re just friends, remember?”
“Yeah, just friends… with a guy you’ve been spending all your time with this summer. Don’t even make me mention that this is also a double-date with Mr. First Kiss. I am so upset I’m missing this,” Cozy pouts, grabbing her phone with both hands and rolling onto her back so I’m looking down at her.
“Ha-ha. Very funny. Are you and Peter doing something tonight?”
“Are we ever!” She wags her eyebrows, and I scold her with her first and last name.
“What? From your stories about this Reed guy, I’m shocked he hasn’t tried to put the moves on you yet.”
I fall back on my bed, mirroring her. “Did I tell you he hasn’t kissed anyone?”
“WHAT?!” She screams so loud I fling my phone on the mole hill of clothes. A muffled “Is there something wrong with this guy? No upper lip?” sounds from the pile.
I chuckle as I race over to pick the phone back up. “He has an upper lip.”
“Oh, so youhavenoticed his lips! Are they soft? Pouty?”
I panic when I hear my mom’s voice raise an octave as she answers the door. “Cozy, I’ve gotta go,” I say.
“Does he lick them when he talks to you?”
I laugh. “Goodbye, Cozy.”
“Call me later!” she shouts before I end the call.
The last time I took Cozy’s advice and bought the black bikini, I landed myself in a situation with Reed I wasn’t ready for. The black halter dress seems like a potential for round two, so I toss it back in the pile and slip on a pair of jeans and a black strapless top. I do take her advice on the cowboy boots though.
Reed whistles from the front door as I descend the stairs, and it makes me blush even more than when he comments on how good my hair smells.
“Wow, you look?—”
“Waytoo young to be going to a karaoke bar,” my dad interrupts.
“I promise this place is not like that, Mr. Fletcher. It’s family friendly. More of a restaurant with dancing, really. You guys are welcome to come if you want! It’s just a bunch of silly singing followed by a movie on the lawn out there.”
“No, we trust Teddy,” my mom reminds my dad, placing her palm flat against his chest and staring him down. “Have fun, you two!”
“Thanks, Mom. Love you, Dad,” I say, taking turns kissing them both on the cheek before guiding Reed out the door.
When we make it to the truck, Reed hoists me by the waist into the passenger seat, and I’m greeted with a double “Hi” from the back seat. When I look over my shoulder, Miles and Lexi are sitting next to each other, his hand perched on her thigh.
“Oh, hey guys,” I say, somewhat surprised. I didn’t realize they’d be riding with us too, but it makes sense, I guess.
“Teddy, you look incredible!” Lexi gushes, grabbing me by the arm.
Miles stares at me through the rearview mirror, but I flit my gaze away faster than I have time to assess his reaction to that comment and peer at Lexi’s outfit over my left shoulder. We’re both in denim which makes me glad I opted for the wardrobe change at the last second. One thing Idon’twant is to stand out.
“Thanks. You too.”
