Page 249 of The Romance Adventure

“Us? More like you.”

They both stare at me. I shift away, feeling like I’m under a microscope but have no idea why.

“Harley, what’s going on?” Heather asks.

“What?”

“Is there an echo in here?” Harper asks.

“You have a rosy glow.” Heather studies me.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“She can’t be pregnant again. At least, it’s very unlikely so soon. Is DesTroy back in your life?” Harper calls him that because of his destructive powers.

“No, of course not.”

Heather gives what I can only describe as a mom look. I pity her children. “No, she passed the test.”

“The test?” I tuck my chin.

“If I deploy that look, if any of the children flinch within the first fifteen seconds, something is afoot.”

“Nothing is afoot. Troy isn’t back.”

“If he was, I’d destroy him,” Harper practically growls.

“What was that family love fest stuff down there?” Suspicion laces Heather’s voice because I wasn’t the warm, fuzzy sister. More like the bratty, you’ll find pencil shavings in your pancake butter, sister.

“I missed you guys.”

“I thought we’d traveled back in time because you looked just like you did in high school, but something was different.”

“But Miss Sassy Pants didn’t act like it. No, she was acting like she’s in love.”

“Is it wrong to love my family? And I missed Luke.” I look anywhere but at them because it’s only a matter of time before they figure me out. The heat in my cheeks indicates that I am experiencing a deep blush. There’s no way it’ll escape my sisters’ notice.

“What did you do last night?”

“You should ask Brando. He’s up to something.”

“Don’t avoid the question.” Heather narrows her eyes.

Harper arches an eyebrow. “If she doesn’t tell, it’ll be on the Coconut Wireless by the end of the day.”

“Anything worth mentioning? Anyone worth mentioning?” Heather probes.

“What did you have for dinner?”

“The treasure hunt on a moonlit night was purely platonic. Mostly. There was no kissing.” I swallow. Kind of.

I have to get my mind off Ryan, but I succumb to Heather and Harper’s expert interrogation tactics and tell them almost everything that happened last night.

“So, there is something afoot,” Harper says.

“A game is afoot,” Heather adds.

But I’m not sure if it’s a game after all.