Page 35 of Laugh

Haddie’s eyes widen in surprise. “Really? Likereallyreally?”

Raising a brow at her, I tease, “I find it pretty adorable that you and Addie both repeat words like that. It’s like you’re changing the meaning of the word by saying it twice. And yes, I would go with you to the dinner.”

Tapping her finger on her chin, she thinks out loud. “I suppose it does, actually.Datedate means it’s a for real date, not just used as a filler word.Likelike means you like someone as more than a friend. I supposereallyreally is me asking if you’re absolutely sure. I bet you could do that with all sorts of words.”

Huffing out a laugh, I start looking for a parking spot at the bar. Luckily, this place was only a few miles from where we grabbed burgers. “What about akisskiss? What would that mean?”

It’s endearing the way her expressions change as she attempts to give me an honest answer, completely missing the fact that I’m pushing to kiss her again. She legitimately considers my question and gives me a thoughtful answer.

“I suppose a regular kiss could mean anything like a quick kiss on the lips or the cheek. But akisskiss would be one of those ‘knock you on your ass’ kisses, with tongue and everything.”

Nodding my head solemnly after parking my car, I turn off the engine then fist my keys as I turn to her. “Harriet Elena Byer, can I give you a kiss?”

Her slow blink as she processes my question makes me want to laugh. “Not akisskiss?” she asks, clearly disappointed.

Shrugging at her, I playfully tease, “I’d like to give you akisskiss later tonight, but I’m afraid if I do that now, we won’t make it inside for that drink.”

She blushes again, and whispers, “I’d like a kiss.”

Leaning forward, I allow my lips to brush against hers before pressing them more firmly. I keep my tongue in check, no matter how much I want to dive inside and taste her again. Once I finish, I pull away and smile at her. “Thank you. As much as everythinghasn’tgone according to plan, I am very much enjoying our evening. Let’s go piss your sister off.”

“Tonight,andtomorrow.” Giggling, she hops out of the car and waits for me to come around to her side and grab her hand. I lead us inside, where we quickly find familiar faces toward the back of the bar.

“Haddie!” Addie cries out, clearly excited to see her friend. When she sees us holding hands, she grins, then winks at me. “I’m so glad you guys came out. The waitress is just taking drink orders.”

Looking down at my date, she gives me a nod, then glances around the table. Her friend Marcus is sitting at the end and waves at the two of us. Haddie tugs on my hand, so I follow her over, only releasing her for a moment to grab an extra chair to set next to the empty one by Marcus.

“Marky-poo, what are you drinking?” she asks as we sit down. I notice her sister, Kandii, and a few other girls sitting at the other end of the tables, which have been pushed together. Jensen lifts his hand when I meet his eyes and I flash him a quick smile.

“Guinness. How’s your date going so far?” Marcus gives me a head nod in greeting. He sounds a bit tired, so I check my watch to see what time it is. It’s after nine at this point.I wonder how long they’ve all been out here?

“The restaurant caught on fire!” Haddie exclaims, and I roll my eyes.

Chuckling at the excitement over the drama of the evening, I shake my head. “Not the whole restaurant. Just our table. We went to that hibachi place, and there was a grease fire.”

Marcus seems to find our news humorous since he covers his mouth to hold in a laugh. “Of course it did. I’m not surprised tha–”

A screech interrupts him, and I close my eyes when I hear Amber snap, “Adate?”

“Here we go,” Haddie whispers, then clears her throat, readying herself to combat her sister’s ire.

Amber actually stands up and plants her hands on the table, facing us down. “Are you fucking kidding me right now, Harry? You went on a date withhim?” She jabs her finger in my direction. I open to my mouth to put her in her place, but Haddie gives my thigh a squeeze.

“It’s not a date, Bamber. Simmer down before you cause a scene.” My head jerks down to stare at her.Did she just shut me down in front of everyone?

Her eyes flick up to mine for just a second before she gives me a sly wink, then faces her sister again.

Amber relaxes and brushes her hair from her face and snorts a nasty huff of laughter. “Figured. Of course it’s not.” She glares at one of the guys to her right before adding, “People should get their facts straight before they go spreading rumors.”

“I agree wholeheartedly, Bamber. It wasn’t a date; it was adatedate.” Haddie’s slow grin is dark, and I won’t lie and say her evil ploy to piss off her sister isn’t a turn on. It’s sexy as fuck to see her bait Amber and bait her she does.

Amber is seething as she glares at us. “What the hell do you mean, adatedate?” Sneering at me, disgust is written all over her face. “Are you honestly telling me you’d rather takeherout for a night? What’d she do, give you some ‘woe is me’ sob story and make you pity her?”

“Amber!” Addie snaps out, then shakes her head, shocked by the vitriol Amber is spewing from her hateful mouth. “How can you say something like that?”

Haddie gives her friend’s arm a small squeeze. I notice Jensen is also staring at Amber in surprise, clearly uncomfortable with the way this adult woman is speaking to her family.

Marcus cuts in, scowling at her. “What the hell is wrong with Haddie?”

---