Page 8 of Stay for Forever

“Yes, Ms. Scientific America, it’s an exaggeration used for emphasis.”

Aspen ignores the hubbub around her as she studies me. I hold my breath and force myself not to squirm. After several long seconds, she smirks. “This is going to be fun.”

Uh oh. My big sis thinks she’s going to play matchmaker again. As the oldest West sister and the first to be engaged, she thinks she has the right to couple all of her sisters. I open my mouth to tell her to mind her own business, but I slam it shut before I can utter a word. I’m not giving her any fuel for the matchmaker fire.

I stand and follow my sisters to the door. “I want my key back, Ashlyn.”

Ashlyn rolls her eyes before digging it out of her pocket. “Not having a key won’t stop me from breaking in again.”

There’s no response to her craziness. I shut the door in her face without comment before collapsing against it. Maybe I should find somewhere else to live while Mav’s in town. I could stay with Mom and Dad. They’d never turn me away. Bark Twain leans against my legs to offer me comfort.

Darn. Mom and Dad may be okay with me staying with them, but they won’t let me bring my animals. Mom is strangely fussy about animals and their shedding. And Dad? Let’s just say after the one time I ‘accidentally’ brought a snake home, animals and him have not been friends.

Guess I’ll have to put up with my sisters’ visits. They won’t last long anyway since Mav never stays in town for long. This time won’t be any different no matter what he claims to the contrary. I’ve heard his claims before. They’re hot air and nothing more.

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