She perks up. “You mean a three-thousand-mile cross-country drive in a tour bus that smells like feet with your brother drooling in my cleavage? Absolutely. No way am I bailing on you guys for a first-class red-eye home.”
Tag scowls, storming past her toward the minifridge. “Safer that way. Can’t have you falling in love with me.”
“Please. I’ve had a better experience with airline neck pillows.”
“Neck pillows don’t give you tacos and orgasms at three a.m.”
My gaze ping-pongs back and forth. I’m expecting a witty comeback from Kenna, but she goes silent, sinking deeper into the sofa.
I have no idea what’s going on with those two. Nobody said a word aboutthe awkward run-in in San Diego after I accidentally walked in on my worst nightmare. I still haven’t found bleach strong enough to scrub away the images that haunt my eyeballs.
To my surprise, Kenna has been uncharacteristically vague.
And I’d rather gargle glass and chase it with a beehive than press my brother for details.
After another ten minutes of decompressing, we’re all piled into the limo, headed back to the hotel to enjoy our final sleep on the tour. Come sunrise, we’ll be homebound, waiting to see what happens next.
As I march into the hotel lobby, Chase gives my hand a squeeze. “I’m gonna hit the shower. You have your key?”
I pull it out of my pocket and shimmy it around. “I’ll meet you up there.”
He sends me a panty-melting smile, and I watch as he saunters toward the elevators, a cupid’s bow lodged inside my heart.
I’m mid-sigh when Tag rams his elbow into my ribs. “Ow!”
“Love to see it.”
“Me in pain?” I glare at him, rubbing away the sting.
His face softens, his head canting to the side. “You in love.”
I blink at him through a swallow. Then a smile blooms, warm and tender. “Thanks. Me too.”
He shoves a hand into his pocket. “I have a surprise for you. Hope you and Chase already got your plans out of the way for the evening.”
Heat scorches my cheeks, and the glare returns. “Please never speak of that again.”
“Gladly.”
“What’s the surprise?”
Unable to tamp down the grin, Tag takes a large step left, disappearing from my sightline. “See for yourself.”
Frowning, I glance around the lobby, looking, searching…until my gaze lands on the unexpected.
I gasp.
Tears wash over my eyes.
Not a moment later, I’m running across the emerald marble floor, my hair whipping around my face, my heart nearly bursting through my chest.
“Daddy!” A sob escapes as I launch myself into my father’s open arms.
“Angel,” he says, squeezing me tight. “God, I’ve missed your hugs.”
With wet cheeks, I pull away and fall against my mother, burying my face in her shoulder. “Mom. Oh my God.”
She strokes my back, shaking with her own tears. “Oh, honey. We’re so proud of you. Both of you.”
