Page 108 of Bad Love

She makes a little sound in her throat. “No. Not protestingthat.”

I stroke her hand, my gaze dropping to the soft skin of her shoulder as I smile. "Good. August. You must have vacation time. Rory’d love it there. The food, the chefs, thefarms."

Her gaze melts. "It's his birthday nextweek."

I stop dancing.“Nine minus twenty-two,”I remember Rorysaying.

“I'm going to get him the best present ever," Ivow.

Kendall looks past my shoulder, a half smile on her face. "You don't have to dothat."

"I wantto."

Her eyes shine at me as though I’ve handed her the damn moon. We're surrounded by people, and it doesn't matter. I kissher.

Long.

Lingering.

She takes a deep breath. “I don’t know about Paris, but what are you doing three Saturdays fromnow?”

I cock my head. “Notsure.”

She ducks her face. “I’ve sold every ticket for the talentshow.”

“For real?” I pull back to look at her. “We need more champagne. Stat.” I look around, and she laughs, tugging me back. “How?”

“I emailed and called the parents of every kid in the talent show. Then hit up the other parents, saying they should support their kids’ friends. Then I found a regional moms’ group that runs events and convinced them this would be great inspiration for their own school events. Finally, I called the principal’s office, saying parents from other schools were coming to watch our school set an example and they’d look bad if the school administration wasn’t sufficientlyrepresented.”

Her eyessparkle.

“So, I’ve sold every ticket… except one.” My chest expands so much I think it might explode. “If you’re busy, I understand, and I didn’t say anything to Rory aboutit.”

“It’d be anhonor.”

Kendall beams. “Check yourcalendar.”

“I don’t need to. Anything in there can bemoved.”

The song ends, but she stays in my hold as if she doesn’t want toleave.

That makes two ofus.

She yawns, and suddenly I realize it'smidnight.

"Sorry," she says. "I’m not used to grown-up bedtimes. Usually I tuck Rory in at eight and get a couple of hours of work in before Icrash."

"Go tobed."

"I don't want to abandonyou."

I smile. "I'll manage, Peach. I’ve done it for practically the last thirtyyears."

Though as I watch her walk away, I honestly can’t rememberhow.

I feel Monty’s presence even before I hear his voice. "I hope we didn't scare heroff."

"She doesn't scareeasily."

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