Page 107 of Our Long Days
Florence bows to her niece. “Your prince awaits you, m’lady.”
Lottie offers a wobbly curtsey. “Thank you, kind sir.”
Two peas in a pod.
Florence cuts me a glance. “I’ll see you…later.”
“Yes. You will.” I wink.
Head whipping between us, Lottie narrows her eyes. “When will you see her? In the bathroom? You guys were in there for a loooooong time at Grandma’s house. I knocked, because Dad says I have to, but you didn’t answer. That’s rude. If someone knocks, you should answer. Were you playing a game?”
Like two goldfish, we gape at her. Florence cuts off my circulation in a death grip. This fucking kid.
“We were unclogging the toilet,” Florence rushes out. “And now, I’m leaving.” She sprints across the dance floor, cheeks crimson.
Lottie doesn’t hesitate in taking her spot. She climbs on to my dress shoes, arms raised. I huff a laugh, offering her my hands to balance on, and rock us left to right, a move we’ve done at every family party since she could walk.
“You having fun, kiddo?” I ask.
She bobs her head. “JoJo is the prettiest bride. Was I a good flower girl?”
“The best.” The music changes, shifting to some Kidz Bop nonsense that has Lottie bouncing up and down on my toes, numbing them.
“Do you want to get married?” she asks loudly. “And to who?”
It’s then I notice Florence’s mom standing off to the side,amusement painting her features. Her expression says,Yeah, Dexter, who?Nothing gets past the infamous Claire Sadler. Trying to keep anything a secret among that family is an impossible task.
My voice rises, speaking above the music. “One day, I hope to. Who?” I locate Florence, head thrown back in laughter. “I can’t tell you before I ask her.”
Claire nods her approval while Lottie scrunches her nose. “It’s Aunty Flo, huh? You pull gooey faces at each otherallthe time. Like Uncle Graham says, ‘Get a room.’”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
florence
It’sthe last day of wedding celebrations. Freshly cut grass and smoked hickory fill the air from the barbecue. Most guests nurse a hangover or soothe their dancing feet in Lottie’s paddling pool while she splashes around.
The pulsing between my eyes is not hangover related and all to do with us telling my oldest brother we’re together. Jo and Pat are headed out of town for a few days, and though I really doubt Patrick will lose his shit, this gives him time to digest the information.
Dex and I sit in front of the fire pit while my siblings and friends are scattered around the yard. Ironically, I’m the jittery one, and the man next to me sips his glass of lemonade with an air of confidence.
“I wonder if my brothers still think I’m a virgin,” I think aloud.
A choking noise comes from my left, and Dex wipes at his chin.
“Actually, Graham knows we’re canoodling. Probably Booth too.”
“That’s not something I need to discuss with your brother.” Dex coughs into his fist. “How about you leave the talking to me?”
I chew my lip. “That might be for the best.”
As if summoned by my nervous chatter, Jo and Pat materialize.
“Hey.” Patrick smiles. “Can we join you?”
Sweat licks my spine, palms clammy as I gesture to the two empty seats across from us.
They oblige. The wide-eyed stare Jo throws me doesn’t go unnoticed.
