Page 97 of Choosing Forever
“The only thing I’ve needed is your friendship, B. You’ve given that to me in spades.”
“Fuck off, you softy,” she says, scoffing lightly.
“I don’t want to kiss anyone else.”
“But you’re going to. Finish what you started so I don’t have to feel responsible for talking you out of your plans,” she demands.
“Even if it means watching me get kicked in the ass?”
“I’ll record the moment for you.”
A pointed clearing of a throat has my best friend turning forward. Her eyes immediately narrow into slits.
“What are you doing here?”
“I could ask the same thing.”
My ex-wife’s voice sours my stomach, making it a struggle to face her. And once I do, I wish I hadn’t. Her pursed lips and narrowed eyes are beyond familiar as she leers at me and pulls Abbie in front of her—as a shield, I’d bet.
“Hi, Dad!”
“Hi, sweetheart. I didn’t know you were coming, or I would have met you somewhere first. There’s lemonade.”
Abbie spins to face Sasha and juts her bottom lip. “Can we get some? Please? I’ve been soooooo good today! I put all my laundry away.”
“Of course we can. You don’t even have to ask.”
I swallow a bitter laugh at her pettiness. “Are you here because you want a kiss, Sasha?”
“No. Abbie just wanted to come see what all the fuss was about over here.”
“The booth looks cool, Dad. The hearts shine all the way back there,” my daughter says, pointing to the parking lot.
I toss her a wink. “Well, that was all you. Your painting skills are quite top-notch if I do say so myself.”
“I thought Abbie was kidding about the kissing booth. It seems she wasn’t,” Sasha notes.
Bryce ups the venom in her tone, not bothering to hide how little she cares for my ex-wife.
“It’s for the drive-in. Everyone’s just doing their part. Do you have anything planned?”
“I don’t have time. It seems like it’s more than handled, anyway. Judging by the line we saw a minute ago, Darren’s mouth is quite a hit.”
“It’s still gross that you’re kissing people, Dad.”
I choke on a laugh. “They’re only cheek kisses, sweetheart. There’s no lip action happening around here.”
“And it’s not just your dad doing all the kissing. Delaney’s here too, but she’s taking a break too,” Bryce explains.
The smoothness of her words is for my daughter’s benefit because she stares directly at Sasha as she says them, the devil dancing in her eyes. I sigh and push in before the two of them can get into it here the way they always seem to no matter where we are.
“We’re working on this together,” I clarify.
Sasha’s nostrils flare as she smiles and drops her attention to Abbie. “How about that lemonade?”
“Oh, don’t go yet. There’s Delaney,” Bryce announces.
My heart jolts, feeling like it’s flush to my ribs. I spin around and search for her, my pulse loud in my ears. It’s an electric feeling, thisexcitement. I could get addicted to it again.
