Page 96 of Dear Pink

“Okay . . . Libby left me a bucket list to complete after she died. This race. My hair. The guitar solo. It’s all her bidding.”

They both fall silent, staring at me.

“So, you see, he likes Libby, not me. He’s fallen for her adventurous spirit.”

Maude rocks forward and flicks my arm with her knuckle.

“Ow.”

“You’re the one fulfilling the list,” she says. “So what if Libby helped motivate you. She gave you the best gift ever, a way to find yourself again. Sounds as if Libby knew what you needed.” Maude takes my hand and squeezes it.

“But these adventures aren’t mine. I do them for Libby.”

“Who says? Aren’t you having fun? Don’t you love the changes?” June squeezes my shoulders. “I saw your work in the pitch meeting. The book isyourtalent, not Libby’s. Maude speaks the truth. Libby might have left you the list, but you’ve accepted the challenge.”

“And from what I heard, you held your own against the higher-ups in the meeting,” Maude adds. “Several employees mentioned a pink-haired badass put Caroline Burton in her place, though an admin did recount she had mismatched shoes.” Maude holds her hand in the stop gesture to keep me from explaining. “I don't even want to know.”

June grins. “Plus, you’re the one braving butt boils.”

I laugh, but a tear escapes. “What if Gabe breaks my heart?”

“What if he doesn’t?” Maude knocks my leg.

I wipe my eyes and smile. They're right. Gabe is worth the risk.

“Now, let’s ride,” Maude demands. “It’s Hotter'N Hell out here.”

Chapter 24 - Gabe

The hammock in my parents’ backyard remains the quiet place where I retreat for necessary downtime. Growing up, I would take refuge to read or steal away from my sisters there. Today, I need to hide from the world.

Gina laughs inside the house, and I sink deeper into the fabric. It’s only a matter of time before I get caught. Where one sister goes, many follow. My solace won’t last long.

“Gabe, you out there?” Gina calls.

I ignore her. The hammock’s far from the backdoor leading to the sloping yard. Maybe she won’t find me.

“I see you, you big dork. Don’t ignore me. It’s rude.”

Closing my eyes, I pretend to sleep. I adore my sisters, but today I crave more hammock time.

“Just dump him out of the damn thing,” Ghita says. Ghita’s nothing like her sweet twin, Gemma.

“Don’t be cruel,” Gemma says. “He hides in his hammock when he’s upset. The alone time resets his emotional state. The hammock is his giant teddy bear.”

Their voices carry loud and clear across the yard.

“Obviously, he’s upset about Hannah.” Gloria must have walked onto the porch. She sounds close. “He probably mansplained how to adjust her bike seat. Stupid men.”

“Ha. Yeah. He’s better off dating his bike.” Ghita sneers.

“Anybody's better than Elise. I hate that woman,” Gloria says.

“Shh,” Gabriela responds. “We promised to never mention Cruella De Vil.”

“Whatevs. She’s the worst. I can’t believe he dated her.”

“Hell, he nearly married the bitch.”

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