"I’m not blushing." I frown, clenching my jaw while nudging her as if to say 'Shut. Up.', but, in typical Lizzie fashion, it goes right over her head.
"Seriously. You’re like a tomato," she continues, and I want to throw myself against a wall.
"Yeah, Cass, what’s up with that?" Now it’s Olive’s turn to call me out.
Fan-fucking-tastic.
"Your sisters are right. You do look a little flustered, honey," mom chimes in, and I’ve never wanted our weekly family dinner to be over so soon, just so I could throw myself in the trash and be done with this god forsaken moment.
"What’s new in your world, girls?" dad asks as we all sit quietly, enjoying mom’s casserole.
"I have that wedding expo in California coming up," I say. I wipe my mouth with my napkin before placing it back down on the table, excited to get away for a few days.
Not only do I get to see Jenna, Janelle, and Frankie, but Harley is coming with me. It’s a work event, but we decided to treat it like a personal getaway for us, too. Grangewood Creek is a tiny town, and word spreads fast. The moment we’re spotted together hand in hand, everyone will know about it in less than twelve hours, with Mrs. Bishop at the reins.
Being in California, we won’t have to worry about being spotted and becoming the talk of the town.
We can hold hands in public.
We can go on dates to busy places.
He can kiss me whenever he feels like it, like no one’s watching, even though we’ll be surrounded by people.
"I submitted one of my songs to be featured in a film," Olive says casually in between mouthfuls of food. The entire table stops eating and mom drops her cutlery.
"What?" Lizzie screeches, nearly jumping out of her seat at the dinner table, tears prickling on her waterline.
"Relax, will you? I probably won’t even get chosen," Olive bites back, urging her twin to sit back down with a simple look.
She’s always been her biggest critic, but the four other people at this table have always been her biggest fans. She’s ridiculously talented, and we have no idea where it comes from. The rest of us are completely tone deaf and can’t hold a tune, but Olive? She’s destined to be a star.
"When will you find out?" Old man Hank’s face is as straight as ever, with no hint of emotion anywhere in sight.
We never know what he’s thinking or how he’s feeling, but I know he’s proud of his youngest daughter right now.
"In a couple months, I guess. Can we drop it?" She shrugs her shoulders like it’s no big deal, while the rest of us are still staring at her in disbelief.
"And I thought one of my students wanting to marry me was exciting," Lizzie says about one of her kindergarteners. "Now all the kids in class are in on it and call me Mrs. Beckett while he walks around proudly." She rolls her eyes and smirks, causing the entire table to erupt. Olive’s body relaxes.
Lizzie always knows when her twin is in need, and even though the conversation is with her family, sometimes Olive still needed saving. Lizzie was always her knight.
I’m so happy to be home.
***
I haven’t even walked through my door when I text Harley to let him know that I’m home. I somehow had enough time to change into some warmer clothes, opting for black jeans and a cream-colored knitted sweater with ankle boots.
Grangewood Creek is known for its ice cold winters, and this is just the beginning.
You’d think I’d be used to it, given that I grew up here, but considering I spent more than a decade in California, my body adjusted to the temperature there, so these cold nights are going to take some time to get used to.
Most people might think ice cream on a night like tonight isn’t the smartest idea, but it’s one of my favorite things to do.
Popsicles in summer and ice cream in winter.
It’s always been my thing.
Hearing a knock at my door, I practically run to open it and my heart nearly tips over itself as my eyes meet his emerald ones.
