Page 84 of Lipstick Kiss

“Now, get out of my sight, so he doesn’t get excited and think we’re spending the whole day in bed.”

Freya swayed against his growing erection and then exited the bathroom. Not fast enough because she got a swot on her backside for cheekiness.

They arrived at Heidi’s family home and were greeted by Heidi’s mum. Freya’s mum soon rushed to the front door and hugged Freya like she hadn’t seen her in months.

“I saw you a few days ago. What’s with the bear hug?” Freya asked her mum.

“I saw you for ten minutes three days ago and hadn’t seen you for a week. You work too much.”

“Not by choice, Mum. Fingers crossed, the next head teacher is a little fairer with an equal distribution of extracurricular activities.”

“No guarantees with Cynthia heading up the board of governors,” Freya’s mum muttered. “Oh, I’m sorry, Luke. I didn’t mean that.”

“That’s okay, Mrs Riley. We all feel the same way.”

Freya’s mum gasped and then giggled. “Come in, you two. The roasties are hidden, so don’t go looking for them.”

“They’re in the oven. That’s not hidden,” Freya said.

“Well, I’ve hidden the oven gloves.”

“Like that will stop me, but I’ll be on my best behaviour seeing as Luke is here.”

“Is Mr Riley in the TV room?” Luke asked.

Freya jumped out of her skin when her mum clamped her palm over her mouth and screamed full-on. It was muffled, but it startled Freya.

“Mum, calm the hell down.”

“I will not, Freya Riley. Let your mum be excited. Have you dusted off the folder?”

“My house is not dusty,” Freya said, put out at the accusation.

“Are you lot going to stand out here all afternoon?” Heidi said, coming back to see why they hadn’t entered the house. Heidi’s mum soon followed to see what the delay was.

“Luke wants to see Freya’s dad,” Freya’s mum announced.

“Christ,” Luke muttered.

“Don’t you be getting exasperated. It was your idea,” Freya said, jabbing her finger into his chest.

“Oh, I wondered why you were in a shirt,” Heidi said, nodding. “Nice touch.”

“Let’s get this over with. If he says no, then it’s all on you, and the folder will go in the incinerator,” Luke clipped out, pushing through the women to get into the house.

Freya gasped at his comment. She wanted to dash home and put it in a fireproof safe.

“Can I see the ring?” Heidi said.

Freya thrust her hand out.

“Wow,” Heidi said. “Like wow, you cannot lose that one. Wow.”

“I know where the other one is, so technically, I didn’t lose that one. I just don’t fancy diving into a whirlpool to get it.”

“I’d rather you didn’t either, Sweetie,” her mum said.

Luke came rushing out of the house and glared at Freya.

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