Page 33 of Five Mountain Daddies

“Yes,” I saysoftly.

She puts her hands over her mouth and gasps before bursting into more laughter. I can’t help but smile a little bit at her reaction, although I wish she wasn’t so surprised. Then again, I’m surprised myself, and I’m livingit.

“Okay, this is scandalous,” she says. “How? How is thatworking?”

“I don’t want to go into the details,” Isay.

“But you’re dating allfive.”

“I mean, I’m not dating them,” I say. “I’m just hanging out with themsometimes.”

She gives me a look. “Have you kissed themall?”

I can’t meet her gaze. “That’s not thepoint.”

“Jesus. London, youslut!”

I grin a little bit. “Leave mealone.”

“This is so big. Holy crap. You’ve kissed all five of them now. You’re dating five oldermen!”

“No,” I say, shaking my head. “Definitely not dating. I’m leaving at the end of the summer,remember?”

She makes a face. “Whocares?”

“I care,” I say. “And Maggie, you can’t tell anyone. You hearme?”

“I won’t,” shesays.

“Seriously, promise me. If this gets back to my parents, it would beawful.”

She nods. “I promise. Nobody will hear about it from me.” She takes a deep breath and lets it out. “How did you get solucky?”

“I don’t feel lucky,” I admit toher.

“Why not? They’re gorgeous and rich and older. I mean, you hit the freaking jackpot,London.”

“It’s just… I don’t know. I don’t feel lucky. They’re great and I like spending time with thembut…”

“But?”

I finally meet her gaze. “But I don’t feel like I’m worthit.”

She stares at me like I’m an idiot. “Sowhat?”

I watch her with a little frown. “I mean, I don’t feel like I deserve it. I don’t get why they choseme.”

“So?” she asks again. “Who the freakcares?”

I sigh. “I wish I had thatattitude.”

“Listen, girl. You better shape up and enjoy this, if not for yourself, then at least for me and every other girl in this stupidtown.”

I smile a bit at that. “I guess I couldtry.”

“Don’t try. Just doit.”

I want to talk more, but we’re interrupted by one of her brothers. He drags her away to deal with some annoyed customer, but she gives me one last poignant look before sheleaves.

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