Page 46 of Inviting Trouble
“Hmm,” Mad said, smoothing her hair back in place, “I can’t imagine what it is.”
“Just you wait,” Claire said, sounding giddy. She handed a gift to each of the book club members. “Open them at the same time!”
They all opened their books.The Princess Brideby William Goldman.
Claire beamed. “Next October when I come back to Connecticut to film the last part of the Fierce trilogy, we’ll watch the movie version together.”
“Ooh, I’ve seen this one!” Hailey exclaimed. She had an encyclopedic knowledge of romantic movies that dated all the way back to early black-and-white screwball romantic comedies. Maybe that was where she got her old-fashioned insults for Josh.
“But we need to read the book first,” Claire said. “Compare and contrast like we did withGone with the Wind.” The women sighed over that gloriously romantic book. Mad had been way into the dark and broody Rhett Butler, who didn’t give a damn.
Claire pointed a finger at each of them. “And no cheating watching the movie without me.”
They all shook their heads solemnly. It was kinda sad they could only see Claire when her shooting schedule allowed it.
“And…” Claire said dramatically, gesturing for the gift bag. Jake opened it and she handed out black T-shirts with a skull and crossbones that read I am the real Dread Pirate Roberts.
Hailey laughed. “Awesome.”
“I don’t get it,” Mad said.
“You have to read the book,” Claire said. “We’ll wear it on our movie night. Or before if you’re into it.”
“This is all so wonderful,” Hailey said. “I feel bad you got all of us a gift but we didn’t get you anything. I thought I was only supposed to get one gift for my Secret Santa.”
The women had to agree.
“Awww!” Claire exclaimed. “You being here for my wedding and spending Christmas with me is the best gift in the world.” She gestured to all of them, waving them close. “Group hug.”
They all huddled around her and did a big squeezy hug. Mad didn’t even mind that Ally squished her ribs in her enthusiasm.
“Looks like a football huddle,” Jake said. “Who’s calling the plays?”
“Who do you think?” Josh asked drily.
Hailey bolted upright to glare at Josh. They broke apart, the women tucking their gifts in a safe place away from the Viv tornado, who was still tearing through gifts that Alex handed her, exclaiming with glee over each one and then reaching for the next one.
Park returned with batteries and set up the plane before handing it over to Viv. It made cute noises and played a cheerful song. Viv smacked the plane once and went back to opening her presents. Park left it there and headed over to Ty.
Mad quickly joined them, anxious to see Park again mostly because it was killing her that he showed no sign of their shared night (and morning) and that was all she could think about. “I would’ve loved a plane like that when I was her age. Instead I got a football.” She remembered the picture of her at two years old, just a little older than Viv, in an oversized football helmet, holding the ball on Christmas morning.
“No, Jake got a football and you stole it,” Ty said. “You got a baby doll that you threw in the garbage.”
Park laughed. “That sounds like you.”
Mad jolted, a little surprised she’d gotten something that girly. She didn’t remember having any dolls. Maybe because she threw them all in the garbage? “I didn’t know that. Geez. Was Dad mad I threw away my gift?”
Ty shrugged. “I don’t know. I just remember I thought it was hilarious. Course, I was seven. Every dumbass thing was hilarious back then.”
Mad turned to Park, trying to see a glimmer of the heat they’d shared. He quickly looked away, cool and distant. She set her teeth, her frustration level rising fast. This distant Park was the one she remembered from his infrequent visits home from the Air Force. It sucked balls. Their intense hookup had been mere hours ago.
Everyone watched Viv as she helped Alex hand out presents. Mad worried her bottom lip, confused and unsure what to do about Park. This had to be the most awkward morning-after of her life. A warm hand squeezed her hand briefly. She turned and Park gave her a small smile before looking back to Viv.
She couldn’t help the dopey smile that spread across her face. The joy bubbling up inside her made her want to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him. Then she had an idea.
She subtly shifted closer to Park. “I’ve got another present in the living room. Help me carry it?”
“Sure,” Park said and followed her like a clueless stud. Not that she planned to breed with him. Not yet anyway.
