Page 122 of Love in Riverbend
The kiss meant nothing to him.
Swallowing, I turn to my dad. “Thanks for coming all the way back up here.”
Dad drops a kiss on my cheek. “Anything for you, baby girl. You know that.”
Baby girl.
Great.
When I look back at Justin, he has his hat off, and he’s running his fingers through his already-mussed auburn hair. His deep blue eyes are no longer on me. He’s listening to Ricky’s plan to empty our apartment as fast as they can.
The only person who sees what is happening is my best friend.
As tears threaten to break through my façade, Marilyn reaches for my elbow. “Devan, come with me for a minute.”
Nodding my head too fast, I follow her back to her bedroom. She shuts the door and wraps her arms around me. It takes all my self-control not to cry. This is what happens when I let myself fantasize about a man and a kiss over the last five weeks.
“Are you all right?” she asks.
Swallowing again, I nod. “Yeah.”
“This. This is why I was apprehensive that night.” Her lips and nose scrunch. “Uncomfortable. I promise it gets better.”
“Right. I don’t know what I expected.”
My best friend smiles. “Devan Dunn, I know exactly what you expected. You had a reunion in your mind where the world around you and Justin fades, music that only you two can hear comes into range, and despite your dad and brother standing right here, you and Justin are brought together by some magic magnetic pull until you’re in his arms and your tongues are down each other’s throat.”
Hearing her say that scenario aloud makes me realize how far-fetched it was.
I playfully slap her shoulder. “No one’s tongue is that long.” I force a laugh. “And, smarty-pants, there wasn’t music.”
“Liar. I bet it was the song “Wings” and the Jonas Brothers suddenly appeared in our apartment.”
“No,” I say quickly. “It was Lady Gaga.” I smirk. “Now, I’m thinking Miley Cyrus is best.”
“Damn right. You can buy yourself flowers.”
We turn at the knock on the bedroom door.
“Um, are you girls going to come out and direct traffic,” my dad asks, “or are you giving Rick and Justin full control?”
Marilyn’s and my gazes meet as we both start laughing.
Giving Justin Sheers full control is only a fantasy.
“We’re coming,” I call back.
“You good?” she asks in a whisper.
I nod my head. “I am now. Thanks, emotional breakdown avoided.”
For the next two hours, the five of us work together. I admit to catching a glimpse of the way the muscles in Justin’s arms bulge when he lifts something heavy. I also notice that he doesn’t shy away from big objects. Listening to Ricky and Justin argue as they take our couch down the two flights of stairs has us all laughing. It’s like a bad recreation of an old Friends episode. We’re lucky there are no holes in the walls to take away from our deposit.
We’re all hot and dirty. The windows are open, and the warm spring breeze does little to cool the apartment. Yes, Marilyn and I are trying to save money by not using the air conditioning. Besides, the door is propped open.
Wiping my brow, I’ve pretty much decided that the kiss at the hog roast was completely a figment of my imagination. After all, Justin has barely spoken to me. Oh, he’s said a few things such as…
“Is that box going in the trailer or in one of your cars?”
