Page 13 of Hers to Kiss
Chapter 5
“Your brother is a nuisance.”
Bertie popped the end of her string cheese into her mouth. “What else is new?” she said around the chunk.
Keke spied a container of frosting and began hunting the kitchen for a spoon. Sweets always made her feel better. And right now, she was craving buttercream icing. “You met that Lea girl, right?”
“Yeah. She’s pretty, which sucks.”
Keke laughed. “Why does it suck?”
Bertie shrugged. “I feel like I’m constantly surrounded by pretty girls. I’m tired of being the ‘duff.’”
Keke stuck her tongue out at her. “Stop being such a baby. And you’re not a duff!”
Although Keke meant to keep the conversation light and playful, she noticed Bertie’s face fall. She hadn’t ever heard Bertie talk like this before. Sure she had had body issues from time to time, but what girl didn’t? But considering herself the ‘duff’? The Designated Ugly Fat Friend? Bertie wasn’t anywherenearbeing overweight. She looked incredibly healthy.
Bertie handed Keke a plastic spoon from a package of plasticware she had opened. “I know you’re trying to eat that icing. Use this.”
Keke viciously grinned. She would conquer all the icing. “It’s my favorite food group.”
Bertie eyed Keke’s figure. “I don’t know where you put it.”
“In the workout.” Keke scooped some icing and then put the spoon into her mouth. She did a plie and rubbed her toned arms. “If you knew what it took to maintain this body.” She pointed the spoon at Bertie. “But let’s talk about you. Have you been working out? You look way more toned than the last time I saw you—and no, you weren’t fat!”
“Seeing how the last time was right after graduation…”
“Are you ever gonna let that go?”
Bertie pursed her lips and gazed up. “One day, I promise.” She stopped stacking packages of paper plates. She looked over her shoulder at her backside. “And, yes, I have been working out. Lots of squats. My bum is too flat.”
“Being a dancer allows me to indulge from time to time. But I’ll probably have to skip the hotdogs and s’mores. And your booty is poppin’.”
Bertie giggled and then grimaced. “I love s’mores. They’re the best part about sitting around a campfire. With the smoke blowing in your face, at least you have warm marshmallows over melted chocolate and graham crackers.”
The thought of s’mores brought the image of Pete’s lips to mind. Keke shoved it aside, instead snickering over how incredibly clueless he was.
“What’s so funny?”
Keke met Bertie’s curious gaze. “Oh, your brother.”
Bertie’s lips fell to one side. “Uh-huh. I thought you said he was a nuisance. What’s he done now?”
“Why do you say it like he’s done something wrong?”
“’Cause it’s probably true. He hasn’t been bothering you, has he? I’m surprised he didn’t fall all over you when you two met out front. He’s usually so tongue-tied and lovestruck.”
“I seriously doubt that last part.”
But the rest of it was true…years ago. Keke used another spoon to scoop more icing out of the tub—a slippery slope—and while the icing slowly melted on her tongue, she contemplated Pete’s newfound confidence; in her presence at least.
She’d never heard him talk so much to her in her life. Yet, he could barely get his name out in front of Lea. But as soon as she was gone, he had no trouble speaking. Even going so far as to be a little snarky with her. Had she lost her effect on him?
Had little Petey actually outgrown his crush on her?
“He’s still tongue-tied,” Keke stated after the icing had slipped smoothly down her throat.
“Ah. Lea.”
