Page 51 of That Kiss

We’re finishing up the last few minutes of our shift when Amelia and Brooklyn waltz over with Trent, Tyler, and a few of the others.

“Hey, we’re all grabbing drinks when we leave here. You guys should come,” Tyler, the oldest of the Slade cousins, announces as they approach.

“Yeah, I’d love to go.” I look over at Decker. “I don’t have any plans tonight, do you?”

“Uh, no.” His tone contains just enough of a hint of annoyance that I pick up on it.

“Great,” I smile, “what time are you guys heading over?”

“I’m going to take Cecilia to her grandma’s,” Brooklyn replies, referring to her four-year-old daughter, who’s riding her dad’s shoulders at the moment. “She said she has dinner ready, so we’re going to eat there and then we’ll meet you after, probably close to 6 p.m. or so.”

“Decker!” We all turn to see Adrienne waving toward the tent as she navigates the fairgrounds in her stilettos. “I need to talk to you.”

“Do you think she owns a pair of sweatpants?” Trent laughs.

“Are you kidding? You remember when she was, like, two and she put on a pair of those plastic Barbie heels Aunt Devon bought her, and she didn’t take them off even to sleep?” Tyler describes the sound of the plastic dragging around his aunt and uncle’s house. “God, it drove us crazy.”

“Hey, sorry I had to run you down like that,” Adrienne smiles, “and of course it’s the day I’m wearing my most uncomfortable heels.” She reaches down and removes one, shaking out a pebble that got lodged inside.

“Aren’t they all uncomfortable?” Trent teases, as his wife Amelia playfully smacks his shoulder.

“Listen to these men joke about women’s fashion.” Amelia swoops her arm around Adrienne, the two of them looking like they could walk for Victoria’s Secret at the drop of a hat. “I’m sorry, guys, but since when did Levi’s and Stetsons become high fashion?”

“Burn! She got you guys pretty good,” Adrienne says, looking around the group.

“Fine,” Tyler rolls his eyes, “I guess it’s good you came along a few years after us. Poor mom was desperate to dress a little girl up.”

“Speaking of Aunt Celeste,” Adrienne spins on one stiletto toe and points at Deck, “she sent me here to get you to agree to do the bachelor auction.” My stomach does that thing again—the one that makes me uncomfortable—and Decker’s eyes flash to mine. “I know you don’t want to do it this year, but it’s your fault she expects you to. You’ve done it pretty much every year, and you get some of the highest bids.”

“I already gave her my answer.” He shrugs.

“And you know she isn’t going to relent until you agree.” She crosses her arms over her silk blouse. “Don’t make me whip out my lawyer tone, Decker.”

“Just do it,” I say, joining in, “what’s the big deal?”

“Yeah, why are you being weird about it? It’s for a good cause, and contrary to what you might think,” Tyler reaches over and grabs his shoulder in a serious manner, “you don’t have to sleep with the person who wins your bid.”

He barely gets the rest of it out before everyone’s laughing. I know Decker’s a good sport about all of it, but I can see why he doesn’t want to hold back about us. He wants them to see the new him—the happy and in love him who’s finally found his person. He looks at me, hurt in his eyes, and I instantly regret encouraging him.

“Okay, we need to get going,” Brook says to Tyler. “We’ll see you guys later.”

“We should head out too,” Amelia adds, looking at Trent. “I want to be able to give Walker his bath and put him down before the sitter gets there.”

We say our goodbyes and agree to meet at the bar no later than 7. Adrienne is still hanging back to chat with Decker and me.

“Are you coming out tonight? I feel like you’re always stuck in that office,” I say, pouting at her. Since she’s one of the youngest cousins, Adrienne and I are only a few years apart and spent most summers running around together. When she went off to college, it was one of the hardest years of my life.

“I was debating on working late. We’re neck-deep in all of the contract negotiations with the MLB. It’s exhausting.”

“Exactly why you need a night out then.”

“Ugh, you’re right. Aunt Celeste even pulled me into her office the other day and told me I need to relax, but I just don’t think I’ve reached that confidence in my career yet to do that.”

“Adrienne,” I give her my best are you kidding me? face, “did you just hear yourself? Celeste wouldn’t let you take the lead on MLB negotiations if she wasn’t confident in your abilities. You’re the definition of beauty, brains, and success. So get confident and leave some for the rest of us average babes.”

She falls into a fit of laughter, pulling me into a hug like she always does. Everything about Adrienne is bright and bubbly and loving. She’s genuine with a pure heart.

“Did I tell you I got to walk out to the 50-yard line the other day and meet a few of the Broncos?”

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