Page 109 of Look on the Bright Side

“Yes,” she said, smiling, because who woke up like that?

“Good.” He looked at her a long second, his eyes turning as warm and inviting as maple syrup.

Then he kissed her.

A soft, warm kiss that was very clearly not a mistake. His lips were full and smooth, and his hand went to the back of her head, and Lark leaned into that kiss, everything in her softening and answering. She let out a little sigh, her hand going to his chest, and he was so warm and solid. His heart thudded against her palm.

It felt so good, so new and strange…and it also felt like home.

He pulled back, his hand still at the back of her head. “I know you’re with my brother,” he said, and his voice was a little rough, “and I shouldn’t have done that. But I felt like I might regret it the rest of my life if I didn’t.”

His words sank into her, hot and warm and heavy.

The banging on the door made Lark leap back, scrambling to her feet.

“It’s me, so relax,” came Addie’s voice. She poked her head in the bedroom door. “Hi. I’m her identical twin in case you’re blind. It’s toast time, apparently, and Mrs.Santini the Younger is wondering where you are, Larkby.”

“Okay,” Lark said. She glanced at Dante. “Um, this is the brother.”

“The brother who’s up to no good, I see,” Addie said. “Nice to meet you.”

“Dante Santini. Hi.”

“Oh, my God. That name is even better than your brother’s. If I weren’t gay…anyway, give Lark thirty seconds so it doesn’t seem like you two were making out in here.”

Dante grinned. “Nice to meet you, Addison.”

“I’m very confused, Larkby,” Addie whispered as she towed Lark down to Joy’s. “I thought you were fake dating the other one.”

“I am,” Lark whispered. “I’m just…kind of falling for that one.”

“Were those the Deans I saw?”

“Yes. A very exciting day for me.” She grimaced and squeezed Addie’s hand.

Addie laughed. “Oh, honey. I haven’t seen you this alive in way too long.” She shoved Lark through the door.

“There you are!” Joy said. “We’re doing toasts!”

“Do we have to?” Robbie muttered.

Harlow smacked his head.

Lark made her way around the living room to where Lorenzo was standing. “Where have you been?” he hissed.

“Shush,” she whispered, forcing a grin. Were her cheeks red? They felt very red. “Your mother’s about to say something.”

“I’ve had to deal with your unruly—”

She elbowed him in the ribs, hard, which did the trick.

“I just wanted to take a minute and thank you, Joy,” Anita said. “What an amazing feast you put together for us!”

“Hear, hear,” said Grandpop. “Joy, you are a wonder!”

“And thank you to all the Smiths,” Anita said. “We already feel like family.”

“For God’s sake,” Lorenzo muttered.

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