Page 9 of Fireworks & Forehead Kisses

I was surprised to see them home before ten. The plan had been for them to go to dinner and then to a drive-in movie.

Skylar’s eyes widened when she saw me. “Wow, you look?—”

“Beautiful!” I offered.

She smiled. “Yep, that’s exactly what I was going to say.”

“I got a makeover,” I explained.

“I can see that.” She nodded, and I could see she was trying to hold back her laughter.

“You guys are home early.”

“I was too tired to go to the movies.” As if on cue, Skylar yawned as she slipped off her shoes.

“Lee Lee’s going to get a husband!” Luna declared.

“She is?” Skylar’s brows lifted as both she and Hank looked at me with a questioning expression.

“She’s talking about Married by a Matchmaker. She wants me to apply.”

“The TV show?” Skylar asked.

“Yeah.”

“Are you going to apply?” my sister followed up.

“I don’t know. I just got that new job.”

Skylar’s nose scrunched. “Would you…if you didn’t have the job?”

I could see that my sister thought the idea of me applying was crazy. Of course, she would. But she had a husband who worshipped the ground she walked on.

My shoulders lifted in a shrug as I stood and brought my plate back to the kitchen. “Why not?”

“Because…it’s a reality show,” she said as if that was a reason in and of itself.

“They are professional matchmakers. Maybe I need professionals.”

“You’re twenty-four, and it’smarriage.”

I didn’t even dignify that statement with a response. If anyone should know how much I’d always wanted to be married, it was Skylar. It was all I’d ever wanted.

She either realized what she said or picked up on my expression because she quickly backtracked, “You know it doesn’t matter what I think. If you want to do it, I’ll support you. Completely.”

“I know. Thanks.” I put my nuggets in a plastic bag so Luna could heat them up later and set them in the fridge. “I’ll wash up and get out of your hair.”

“I’ve got it,” Hank assured me before kissing Skylar on the top of her head and instructing his wife, “You need to go lay down and rest.”

Skylar closed her eyes and nodded as another yawn claimed her.

Seeing the tender way Hank took care of her, the way he took care of Luna, warmed my heart and also made it break just a little. I thought I’d have that. I thought I did have that. Garrett was supposed to be my happily ever after. He was supposed to be the person telling me to go to bed when I was tired and finishing the dishes for me.

“Thanks again,” Skylar pulled me in for a quick hug.

I hugged her back and then kissed my niece on the head. “Alright, squirt, I’m outta here!”

“Bye, Auntie Lee Lee.”

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