Page 73 of Stay for Forever

“Are we supposed to follow her?” Lilac asks as she watches Ashlyn skip down the hallway.

I shrug before trailing my baby sister down the hall to her study. I gasp when I notice the sheer amount of presents piled high on every available surface including the floor.

“Holy cow. Did every single person in Winter Falls send you a present?”

No wonder she asked us to help her open presents today. I thought she wanted witnesses to watch her tear into her gifts. I didn’t realize she seriously needed help.

“Rowan’s former football team found out about the marriage and they all sent presents.”

Aspen smiles as she enters the room. “Wow. I can’t wait to get married.”

“Too bad your future husband isn’t a football god,” Ashlyn teases.

“Nope. He’s the Chief of Police meaning everyone is going to send a present to court favors.”

Lilac sighs. “You do realize the situation you’re describing is bribery.”

Aspen shrugs. “I’m not a police officer. They can’t bribe me.”

“I need to make a phone call. I’m going to be late.” Lilac pulls her phone out of her purse before leaving the room to find privacy to make her call. Silly woman. Privacy doesn’t exist when you have four sisters. She should know better by now.

Ashlyn tiptoes after her. I’m right on her heels. Our sister, the person I’m convinced isn’t one-hundred percent human, is keeping secrets and I need to know what they are.

“I’m afraid I’ll be delayed.” Naturally, Lilac doesn’t greet the caller first. She sighs as she listens to his response. “I’m sorry, Beckett, but there’s nothing I can do.”

Oh, Beckett. Sexy name.

“No, I will not leave my sister’s party because we need to complete work we could have easily finished on Friday had you told me it was required on Monday morning.”

Lilac sounds frustrated. She’s never frustrated. I widen my eyes in Ashlyn’s direction and she nods. She heard it, too.

“Fine. We will discuss this tomorrow.”

Lilac growls as she ends the call and throws her phone in her bag. Suddenly, I understand Aspen’s obsession with matchmaking. This is going to be fun.

“Come on.” Ashlyn laces her arm through mine. “You can tell us all about what happened after Maverick carted you off from my party yesterday.”

Did I say fun? I misspoke.

“How about it’s none of your business?”

She giggles. “Nice try, but no dice. I want all the juicy details.”

“I’m not giving you any juicy details. You never tell us juicy details about Rowan.”

“You have to at least tell us how you went from crying in your bed about him to spending the night in his house,” Aspen insists.

“I wasn’t crying in my bed. Besides, how did you know I spent the night in his house?”

She waves toward Lilac.

“Tattletale.”

Lilac shrugs. “You didn’t tell me it was confidential and swear me to secrecy.”

Robot Lilac strikes again. She doesn’t believe in lying. She’ll do it, but you have to warn her in advance and fill out a form – in triplicate. I’m exaggerating but not by much.

“Fine,” I hiss and proceed to tell them about the discussion Mav and I had.

Aspen claps when I finish. “This is wonderful. I’m so winning the bet this time.”

I don’t bother asking her what bet she’s talking about. This town will bet on any and everything – including what color your underwear is. Don’t ask.

“Can we please move on to opening Ashlyn’s wedding presents now? We’re going to be here all day as it is.”

“Presents!” Ashlyn shouts and dives onto the pile.

I sag in relief as everyone turns their gaze from me to watch my baby sister’s antics.

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