Page 585 of Rock Me All Night

---

"Is that him?" Madison squeals.

"Yes, but I'm not going to discuss him with you."

"No. I'm not looking for gossip. I just… I hope you're happy. That you finally have someone who deserves you."

"Thank you." This is about as much of this conversation as I can take. But I can't let her go without discussing Dad. "Do you know how Dad is doing? He's been dodging my calls."

"I'm not sure. You know Dad. He could be drowning and he'd insist he's going out for a nice dip."

Sounds about right.

"I'll find out," she says. "I'm going to make this up to you. I'll call about Dad next week. Okay?"

"Okay."

"I love you."

"I love you too." I hang up the phone and drop it in my lap. It's the first time I've said I love you to anyone in ages. But it feels natural.

The tension in my shoulders relaxes. I'm angry at my sister, but we'll get past it. She's still my best friend.

Pete pulls me into his lap. His arms slide around my chest. His mouth hovers over my ear.

"I'm proud of you," he whispers.

"Thanks."

"She's right. About Peeta being better than Gale."

"Glad you agree."

"And about me being hotter than your ex."

"How do you know?"

"Saw pictures on your Facebook." His cheek brushes against my neck. "You have any energy left?"

"I could use another coffee."

"Tom's throwing a party tomorrow. I'd skip it, but it sounds important. He wants us to have dinner with Ophelia and Ellie first."

"Ellie?"

"Mom's girlfriend."

"Oh. Your mom is gay?"

"Yeah. You didn't know?"

"Never looked you up."

He plays with the bottom of my tank top. "You shoulda. I've been all over your Facebook."

"Really?"

"You look hot in those pictures on the beach."

"When did you look at those?"

---