Page 13 of All's Fair in Love and Blackmail

You’re going to upset her again!

Me

We’re all going to be sad when they leave. They’re going to be gone for almost a year. It’s fine.

I send my text one-handed and then glance back at Aurora. Her frown fades into something more uncertain as she reads; then she looks up at me, biting her lip.

I nod, and she shrugs.

“All right,” she says with a sigh, and she stands up too. “Let’s go, I guess. But after that,” she adds severely, “we’re doing something fun.”

We all slip our shoes on and then head out the front door. Aurora and I are already halfway to Aurora’s car when I realize Juliet isn’t with us; I turn around to see her still on the porch, a curious frown on her face as she sniffs the air.

“I smell cologne,” she says when we look at her. “It smells good.” She spins on the spot, sniffing some more, and then tilts her head at me. “Has a hot guy been here?”

Mom

MY DEAREST CHILDREN, YOUR FATHER AND I ARE SO EXCITED TO BEGIN OUR TRAVELS!!! HERE ARE SOME THINGS FOR YOU TO REMEMBER WHILE WE’RE GONE!!!

Me

You don’t have to use all caps, Mom. It makes it sound like you’re yelling at us.

Mom

HOW DO I TURN THE CAPITAL LETTERS OFF???

Dancing Queen Jules

It’s right there on the keyboard!!

The little arrow that points up.

Mom

HANG ON LET ME ASK YOUR FATHER!!

HE SAYS WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH THAT CAPITAL LETters are fitting!

We figured it out!!!

Me

Well done!

Aurora Borealis

It hurts.

Mom

Where is Cyrus??? Cyrus are you here???

Cy

Yes

Mom

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