Page 63 of Reconciling With the Rival

“A what?” Leo asks as he slides in next to Grant.

“Ella and I are karaoke partners.” Grant lifts his hand, and I high-five him.

“You guys do this often?” Leo asks as we all start to sit down. Paige and Oliver still aren't here yet, and I’m shocked. Normally, they're first everywhere.

“As often as we can,” Grant tells him. “It’s hard to get us all together without a few weeks' notice.”

“And all of us aren't even here…” Hads says under her breath. I don’t blame her. I was thinking the exact same thing.

“So, where the heck are Paige and Oliver?” Alissa asks as she sits next to her brother. “Those two are late to their own celebration.”

As if she summoned them, I hear Paige squeal behind us.

“I’m sorry we’re late!” Paige tells us as she comes over, her arms spread out wide, as if she’s going to try to hug all of us at once.

“It’s okay, P. It’s your celebration; you can be late,” Grant tells her. “Plus, it was probably Oliver’s fault.”

Oliver just glares at Grant. “Wow. Okay.”

“Well, it was, actually,” Paige confirms, her cheeks going all flushed.

Oh, they absolutely had sex before coming here. I feel like a proud mom right now. Paigey was finally late to something, and that’s about the only reason I’m okay with it.

“Ew, ew, ew,” Hads says, her hand on her forehead.

“Hey, if I have to hear about you and Grant, you can deal with it too,” Oliver tells his sister as he sits down next to her.

“Oh, come on, we’re all friends here.” Grant smiles.

“If friends can’t talk about sex, then what are we even doing here?” I ask them, which gets a few laughs around the table.

“Agreed,” Leo says, much to my surprise. When I look over at him, he’s smirking. “Don’t get used to hearing that from me when it comes to you.”

“I won’t, but I do wish I got to record it or something.”

He leans closer, dropping his voice to a whisper. “Going to use it to get off? You could always ask me, darling. I am right across the hall.”

I hate that my body gets hot. “I’d rather listen to screeching than hear your voice.”

“That’s not the impression I got the other night.”

Grant’s voice cuts into my ears. “Ells, we’re up next. Are you ready?”

I detach from Leo’s gaze as I turn to my friend. “Yes, I’m ready.”

After Grant and Isang the best duet ofSmooth Criminal, we returned to the table, and the group of us ate dinner, chatted,laughed, and overall had a great night. We’re still here—Paige ordered dessert for the table.

I’m in no rush to leave. Tonight has been fun, and I haven't even thought about my sister and impending family troubles.

Shit. Until now.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I grab it.

Lizzie: Mom has a permanent place here. She’s going to be around more.

Lizzie: We’ve been talking on the phone. She sounds genuine, Ells. I want to give her a chance.

Lizzie: Please just think about it. That’s all I ask.

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