“Stay with us. Dad will let you work remotely. You can stay until after Christmas like Noah,” Harry suggests, and a buzz of excitement works its way through me at the thought of being able to spend some time with her.
“I guess I could, but are your walls soundproof?” Tori teases.
Harry grins, “No, but I’ll get you a pair of military-grade ear defenders.” The group falls into laughter, and Tori rolls her eyes playfully.
“Maybe I’ll get a hotel,” she mumbles.
The group is now making enough noise that no one hears when I lean over and say, “Maybe we could get a place together.”
Her head whips to mine, and her eyes widen. I give her a wink and love watching her cheeks flush. Before she can say anything, Ali appears beside me. “Girls, come on, it’s karaoke time.”
Ria groans as Gabby throws her hands in the air.
“Yes, me first,” Gabby cries excitedly, wobbling on her heels to where a karaoke machine is on a small stage.
“Come on, Tor, you too,” Ali says, holding out her hand. Tori shakes her head, waving her hands.
“No, not for me.”
“Please.” Ali pouts.
“Yeah, come on, Tor,” I encourage. Tori whips her head round and glares at me.
“Please, Tori,” Ali whines.
Tori rolls her eyes and stands up with a huff. “Okay, fine.”
I give her a wink and mouth, “Atta girl.”
“She isn’t hitting a single note, is she?” Brad asks, pinching the bride's nose.
My gaze diverts to the stage where Gabby has an arm hung over Ria and is attempting to singMaterial Girlbut she’s so out of sync, I’m wondering if she can even hear the track.
“Not a single one,” I confirm, wincing when she attempts to hit a high note.
“Good thing she’s pretty because with a voice like that...’ Harry says and then whistles.
Jack chokes out a laugh when Brad taps him on the back of the head. “Hey, that’s still my girl. Be nice.” Harry holds his hands up in defeat and laughs.
The girls have all sung except Tori. She’s done her best to blend in the background, but when the track changes and Gabby hangs up her mic, the room erupts into applause, and Rai and Ali tug Tori to the front as the beat of another Madonna track begins to play.
Like a Virgin.
I try to hide the grin that spreads across my face, remembering our trip to Texas and the story behind this song.
Tori looks around nervously, and I give her a supportive nod. Ria thrusts a microphone into her hand, and Tori stares out at me like a deer in the headlights.
“Go on, Tor,” I yell and whistle.
“Come on, baby sis. Show off that Walker talent. Don’t let me down,” Harry yells as Tori proceeds to give him the middle finger. To my shock, she begins to sing, and she’s good, better than I was expecting.
Pride blooms in my chest, knowing that she’s checking off another thing on Scotty’s life list, but that she’s enjoying herself too. The other girls all join in, and watching her laugh and sing alongside my sister, does something to me.
The song ends, and we all give the girls a standing ovation, cheering and whistling as they all take a bow.
She slumps in the chair beside me. “Did I really just do that?” she asks, covering her face with her hands.
“Sure did, and you were pretty damn good too.” She removes her hands, and her cheeks pinken as she reaches for her drink.
