Page 32 of Rainbow Kisses

I hadn’t decided what to do with my section yet. I hadn’t been ready to build my own house when I decided to move out of my parents’, and I wanted to be closer to town, so I’d bought my little house, which I adored. It was just the right size for me. But just for me. I couldn’t imagine having to share it with anyone.

The drive took about ten minutes, and that’s only because I hit the one stoplight in town, and I had to wait for a couple of deer to scoot out of the way before I could park in Rowdy’s driveway.

So I was five minutes late. Brian was already there. Just seeing his truck parked out front made my heart pound. But I got out of my car and walked up to the door, reaching for the doorknob before reminding myself to knock. Before Tressy and Krista had moved in, I would’ve just walked in.

I’d barely rapped on the door before it flew open, making my eyes widen until I saw the reason why.

“Rainbow! You’re here.”

Krista wrapped her arms around my waist and squeezed. I reciprocated with a quick hug before she pulled back and started to bounce, her smile wide and her curls in two adorable ponytails above her ears.

“Hey there. What’s got you all excited?”

I walked into the house, pretty sure I knew the answer to my question.

“Rain’s here!” Krista shouted, making me wince at the decibel level, then she grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the back of the house.

I heard voices, one in particular that made it hard for me to breathe, but Krista kept up a running commentary all the way to the kitchen.

“Maddy and Brian are here. Maddy’s gonna play games with me after dinner. She likes Candy Land and Hungry Hungry Hippos. And she said she’ll watchBlue’s Clueswith me and thenTangledandZootopia.”

“Sounds like you’ve got your night all planned out.”

“Well, you gotta have a plan, right?”

We’d just reached the kitchen and every single adult in the room laughed, because she’d absolutely picked that up from me.

“I think maybe Krista’s been spending a little too much time with you,” Rowdy said, his eyes crinkled with laughter.

“Don’t mind him.” Tressy smacked her hand against my brother’s chest, her grin just as wide as his. “Krista, why don’t you take Rain’s coat to the chair with the others. Rainy, what can I get you to drink?”

I was about to say a beer but realized no one else was drinking alcohol. They all had what looked like soda.

“Ginger ale, please. With a lime, if you’ve got it.”

Rowdy turned to get my drink, and I took a seat at the island, turning to smile at Maddy, who actually looked like she might smile for a second. Of course, she didn’t. Then my gaze met Brian’s, and my smile locked into place.

He looked lickable tonight. Not that he didn’t most of the time, but tonight… I don’t know what it was about a hot guy in a Henley shirt with the buttons open. I totally wanted to put my mouth on him and slide my tongue from his collarbone to just below his ear and then I’d?—

Shit. I blinked and looked away, anywhere but at Brian.

Way to make it awkward.

Luckily, Rowdy slid a glass in front of me and announced it was time to eat, saving me from any further ridiculous staring and grinning.

I was worried dinner would be uncomfortable, with me trying not to lust after my brother’s best friend and all, but Krista saved the day. Chattering to everyone about school and even getting Maddy to engage. Tressy kept the conversation centered around the girls, and she even got Maddy to admit that school today hadn’t been horrible, though she did have homework.

Rowdy, damn him, was a really good cook, and his pasta sauce was amazing. I concentrated on eating and not getting sauce all over my clothes, which I managed to do, just barely. And when the last plate had been put in the dishwasher, and the girls were settled in front of the fireplace with their games and the TV playing one of my favorite Disney movies, Rowdy sat across from me at the table and held my gaze.

“So. What do you think we should do?”

I’d hung my tote on the back of my chair because I knew I’d want the notebook I’d been jotting things down in since Dad had dropped his bombshell yesterday.

Ignoring Rowdy’s smirk, I opened it to the first page.

“Where do you want me to start?”

Rowdy shrugged then tipped his chair back so he could reach the tablet I hadn’t noticed on the island behind him.

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