Page 98 of Resisting the Grump

“Bet I could swing it,” she said. “Maybe not before the wedding since there’s so much to do, but Grace will owe me big by then.”

“Where would you like to go?”

Her lips pulled to one side.

“Please say my parents’ lake house.”

Her head whipped towards me. “I didn’t know you had a lake house?”

“I don’t,” I said. “My parents do.”

“Still.” She ran a hand through her hair. “That’s like every teenage girl’s wet dream.”

I laughed.

“Can we drink too much peach schnapps and go skinny dipping?”

“Yes, to the skinny dipping,” I said. “No to the schnapps.”

She scrunched her nose. “Did you have a bad experience with peach schnapps?”

“Never,” I said, “But I’m getting the feeling that you did.”

A puff of air passed through her pouty lips, as if to say, “Don’t remind me.”

“I’m glad you’re excited about the lake house, anyway.”

“I am,” she said, her face lighting up. “I hope your invitation is sincere because I’m already looking forward to it.”

“Me too,” I said. “It’s one of those places that holds a lot of happy memories for me, and I’d love to make some there with you.”

She took a deep breath like she was inhaling the idea.

“I also wanted to mention it in case you think it would come in handy for bachelorette shenanigans. The place sleeps eight. More with air mattresses, obviously.”

“That’s such a kind offer.”

“It’s a selfish one,” I said. “I suspect the local strippers are shocking quality, so I’m suggesting it because I’m confident you’ll hurry home to me after the trauma.”

She threw her eyes to the sky. “Pretty sure Grace doesn’t want strippers.”

I arched a brow.

“Just penis cookies and eighties movies.”

“I’ve never understood the appeal of penis cookies,” I said. “But I can confirm there’s already a projector and a copy of The Princess Bride on site.”

She threw her hands in the air. “Amazing!”

Her level of excitement exceeded my expectations. “It might be wise to get you up there for a few days sooner rather than later then. So you can make sure it’s a suitable venue.”

“Good point. If we go soon, it wouldn’t be selfish. It would simply be… research.”

“Precisely.”

“I’m in,” she said. “Maybe the weekend after next? What is there to do up there?”

“The only thing I’ve planned so far is going down on you by the firepit.”

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