Page 3 of Fever

Desiree burst into a full out laugh, and I couldn’t help but join her. The triplets all shuffled their weight to lean into their hips, scowls covering all three of their faces.

“We are trying to help you out here,” Phoebe interjected.

“I know,” I said with laughter still in my voice. “I’m sorry.”

Eden rolled her eyes. “Whatever. You better get it together!” She snapped her fingers.

“You know, you guys could probably just wear different clothes, hairstyles, and makeup, and then I could tell you apart.”

The three girls glanced at each other. “We only do that when it works in our favor,” Eden said.

“And when’s that?” Desiree asked.

“If we’re dating. It’s embarrassing when your boyfriend can’t tell you apart from your sisters,” Jasmine added.

“I’m sure it is,” I whispered.

“Breakfast is ready for anyone who’s hungry!” We all turned to Samiyah Rose who was poised also in a stylish two-piece. Samiyah and Claudia were best friends and co-owners of S & M Financial Advisory back in Chicago. Samiyah was the first to marry a Rose. Jonas Alexander Rose to be precise. Those two were also a match made in heaven, and tomorrow Samiyah would stand behind Claudia as I stood behind Desiree at their wedding.

“I thought you never made it back last night,” Desiree said.

I looked at Desiree. “When did she leave?”

“That damn Claudia can’t keep her mouth shut for two seconds,” Samiyah fussed.

“Oh, don’t be so hard on her. I am her sister you know. She didn’t tell anyone else.”

“She’s right,” I spoke up. “I didn’t even know about it, and I thought me and you were cool like that.” I glared at Desiree.

“Listen, by the time I found out, I was comfortable and in my bed, no hard feelings,” Desiree offered.

“Mmhmm.”

“So, where’d you go?” Eden asked, raising a freshly arched eyebrow.

Samiyah tried to hold back her smug smile, but it came out bright as day. Doing an about-face, she disappeared inside. Desiree and I stood at the same time.

“Does she think she’ll get away that easy?” I asked.

“I’m sure she doesn’t. Let’s go.”

We made our way inside, going straight to the dining hall where Octavia and Selena who were newly acquainted friends of mine but co-workers with Samiyah and Desiree were setting the table. Recently prepared was the breakfast of champions. I hadn’t thought about food this morning, but seeing the platters made my mouth water. Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, hash browns, fresh fruit, orange juice, water—there was even a bottle of wine sitting on the edge.

“Good morning, ladies,” I said. “Who put the wine out?”

“I did.”

We all glanced over our shoulders as Claudia made her entrance, her head and body wrapped in a terrycloth towel.

“This party won’t stop until we’re back in Chicago, ladies! So, for now, drink up!”

I was temporarily shocked. Claudia wasn’t much of a wine connoisseur like Desiree. I would’ve fully expected Desiree to be the one admitting to the display of wine, but I guess Claudia was in a good mood. And who could blame her?

“Where’s Carla?” I asked. Carla was also a newly acquainted friend of mine. We’d met when I started my teaching gig at the elementary school. Now we were like sisters from another mother.

“Outside talking to the butler,” Claudia smirked, and we all took a seat at the table.

“What is she talking to the butler about?” Phoebe rose the question before I could.

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