“I think he’s rough around the edges, a tad rusty, but I really like his spirit.”
“Are you holding it against me that I got caught up in my fly-fishing rod?”
She laughs. “Only a little. It’s when you tripped and fell into the water that you lost your man card for a brief moment.”
“The rocks were slippery—how many times do I have to say that?”
She laughs some more, and I pull her into my embrace as we both take in the horizon. It might have only been a few days so far, but I already feel different. Energized. Ready to leap forward. But I know Larkin is right: the only way to truly feel free is to deal with my siblings.
“How about that date?” I ask her. “Tomorrow night?”
“What about your siblings?”
“After the anniversary party. I want to get through that first, and then I’ll hash it out with them. Let’s just make it through the party without killing each other.”
“I can wait for a date.”
I shake my head. “I can’t. Please, let me take you out. I know the perfect place. My parents used to go there all the time.” I tug on her hand. “You know you want to say yes.”
“Fine,” she drags out. “But one date, and then you’re right back to focusing on your siblings and fixing those relationships so you can move on.”
“Deal.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
COOPER
Cooper: What are you doing?
Nora: Lying in a tub of frosting . . . naked.
Cooper: That was going to be my guess, that or posing with cherries over your nipples for your Instagram feed.
Nora: You know me, always trying to capitalize on followers.
Cooper: And cherries on the nipples is the way to do it. How about taking those cherries for a test run with me?
Nora: What do you have planned?
Cooper: Date. Tomorrow night. You and me. Cherries for dessert.
Nora: Oooh, how romantic. I’ll be there. Send details please.
Cooper: I will. Also . . . wear another dress.
Nora: Your wish is my command.
Cooper: Remember that for when we’re playing around with the . . . cherries.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
PALMER
“Dr. Beau, how can I help you?”
“Is that how you always answer the phone?” I ask. I’ve been tasked by my mom with cleaning out my room today, and yet I can’t seem to get my body to move, despite the boxes she placed near the door as a “hint.” Instead I’ve been watching Dude Perfect videos on YouTube because it’s not procrastination unless you’re bingeing something completely out of your normal.
“Always answer the phone like that. How are you, Palmer?”
“Ahh, you know it’s me.” I lean back on my bed and kick my feet up in the air.
“Of course I know it’s you. How’s the cast?”
“Dry.”
“Perfect answer,” he says, chuckling into the phone. “So, I take it if your cast is dry, you haven’t sat in any puddles lately?”
“Nope. Aren’t you proud?”
“So proud. But why aren’t you over here, hanging out with me? I thought that was the plan.”
“I know, that’s why I’m calling. I had some last-minute planning to do for the anniversary party.” Procrastinated on that as well. “It’s in two days, and after hearing from my brothers, I’m really worried nothing is getting done. I decided to spend the day making some calls to see if I can get any catering and whatnot.” I feel a twinge of guilt—when I say “spend the day,” I really mean an hour.
“Did you?”
“No,” I sigh into the phone. “Seems like everything needs to be booked weeks in advance. Painful. I’ve come to the realization that the sandwiches Cooper ordered are what we’re going to have to deal with.”
“Everyone likes sandwiches.”
“But they’re so not fancy.”
“Maybe not fancy is okay.”
“But my parents deserve fancy. Don’t worry, though—the cake will be good. I called Nora this morning and changed it back to lavender and made her swear not to say anything. She has to start baking it today. Caught her at the last minute.”
“A battle well fought and won.”
“Thank you, dear sir. So, anyway, I want to make it up to you, for not hanging out tonight. I know you were interested in some fondling.”
He lets out a belly laugh. “Jesus, where’s your filter, girl?”
“Lost it a long time ago. But I was hoping you’d go out to dinner with me tomorrow. I know the perfect little place.”