My eyes roll back in my head, and I shoot my release as my body shudders. “Damn, girl.” I drop my forehead to her back and catch my breath. “You good?”
“I’m fantastic.”
“Love you, Blue.”
“I love you, too Benny.” She turns her head and I lift mine so I can kiss her. “Are you ever going to tell me why you call me that?”
I pretend to think about it. “Probably not.”
“Whatever, I don’t want to know anyway.”
“Your attempt at reverse psychology is cute…and effective.”
“Really?”
I tuck some hair behind her ear. “It broke my heart how sad you were, how blue. But the first time I said it was the first time you really smiled at me.”
“How is it possible I can love you even more?” She smiles. Beautiful. “Even when you’re going make us late again.”
“Then don’t wear shit that makes me want to rip it off you before we go anywhere.”
She rolls her eyes. “It’s a sundress, with sleeves.”
“Atightdress.”
“It is not, you’re—” She stops herself. “Never mind, it doesn’t matter. You say the same thing no matter what I wear. Now let’s go.”
I kiss her once more, then let her go so we can both get ready. We’re out the door five minutes after we were supposed to be atmy parents’. Luckily it isn’t too far a drive, and by the time we pull up, we’re less than half an hour late.
We walk in and Annie gives a quick wave to the guys who are in the den watching a game. Drew and my dad wave back, but Parker’s grinning. “Why were you guys late?”
“Shut up, Park. Anyone need a refill?”
When I get to the kitchen, Mazie runs up to me and I give her a hug. “How’s the princess?”
“Good. We’re making cookies.”
I set her down and see the dough on the counter. My mom mashes potatoes while Charlie slides a batch into the oven, and Annie’s rolling the dough into balls for the next batch. “I see. They smell great.”
“Theyaregreat.” She runs to her stool and joins Annie.
I give my mom and sister a hug, then get some beers and go back to the den to give my dad his. When I plop down on the couch next to Drew, I ask, “Where’s Josie?”
He shakes his head and I decide not to press him more, because the vein by his temple pops out. I don’t want to be the one to make him lose his shit at family dinner.
“Have you talked to Kit recently?” my dad asks me.
“Yeah, why?”
“Just wondering if she told you she was having a stage built for entertainment.”
I grimace, glad she waited until she bought me out to do that. “Yeah, I knew about it.”
He glances at Parker. “She mention who’s going to be the debut singer?”
“I’m gonna see if the cookies are done.” Parker mutters, stomping away without answering.
That could only mean one thing, Cassandra’s coming back.
