Page 19 of The Kissing Challenge

CHAPTER 5

"Where were you last night, Anne?" Lady asked.

My father looked like he couldn't care less as he spread a thin layer of strawberry jelly onto his biscuit and then savored the first bite. My younger sister Beth just rolled her eyes.

"Who cares?" she said under her breath.

But Lady wouldn't be deterred.

"I tried to call," she said, "but you didn't pick up your phone. I was a bit worried since we were supposed to watch that documentary on Princess Diana."

I winced. Lady had been a close family friend for the longest time. She'd helped all of us after my mom passed away, and I hated letting her down.

"Oh I'm sorry," I said. "It totally slipped my mind."

Mary, my youngest sister, who up until this point had only been interested in her crepes and the copy of Vogue she was perusing, finally looked up.

"It was lovely, Anne. The princess had such wonderful gowns."

"You watched it together then?" I asked.

"We did," Mary said. "It wasn't like I didn't have other things to do. But Lady asked me to watch since I have such refined taste."

Beth snorted at that.

"You?" she said. "Refined? You should become a comedian, Mar."

Mary just rolled her eyes. "As if your fashion sense is better?"

Beth sniffed. "It is absolutely one hundred percent more sophisticated than yours."

"Hmph, whatever."

"I'm sorry I missed it," I said, but Mary's eyes had already dropped back to her magazine, and Beth didn't pay me any mind.

"So?" Lady pressed. "Where did you go? It must've been something exciting if it made you forget our plans."

I shrugged, stalling for time. "I went out with some friends. That's all."

"Wasn't it to watch that terrible band play again?" Beth said.

"They're not terrible," I said while shooting her a look. "In fact, they played awesome. A lot of people were there to see them, too."

"What like ten?" Beth snorted again, and I wanted to tell her how unattractive that was. But I didn't have to. Lady beat me to it.

"Don't snort, dear," she said. "It's unbecoming."

Beth frowned but didn't say anything.

"I'm glad you enjoyed the music, Anne."

"More like she enjoyed the eye candy," Beth muttered.

My blush couldn't be contained, and unfortunately, Lady was still watching me.

"Oh, I see now. Captain must have been there."

Her lips pursed.

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