Page 12 of Daulton

We exchange cell phone numbers and stand. “I’ll see you on Sunday, Carter.”

“I’ll see you on Sunday.”

CHAPTERFIVE

REAGAN

It’s Sunday morning. I’m getting a pedicure with my mom, sisters, Jess, Aunt Cass, and Beth, Aunt Cass’s sister.

Mom smiles at Jess. “Only a few more months until the wedding. Are you getting excited?”

Jess has a huge grin on her face. “Yes, I can’t wait. It feels like we’ve been engaged forever.”

I nod. “Youhavebeen engaged forever.”

She shrugs. “Hayden wanted to wait until the end of medical school. Until he got his residency assignment. I think he was afraid that I wouldn’t like the location and then feel trapped.”

Mom replies, “It’s a good thing he’s ending up here in Philadelphia.”

Jess laughs. “I would’ve gone with him to the middle of nowhere South Dakota if that’s where he landed.” Everyone smiles.

I know she means that too. Jess and Hayden are extremely in love. It’s very sweet and innocent. They seem to have an easy relationship. I’m happy for them both.

I need to tell them about Carter coming tonight. I’ve been avoiding it all week. “Well…I sort of started seeing someone. Mom, is it okay if he comes for dinner tonight?”

Mom looks at me skeptically. “Just a week ago you asked me if it was okay to start dating and having sex again, and now you’re ready to bring someone home?”

“You’ve got to get back on the hobby horse some way, Mom. It’s obviously new. He said he wants to meet everyone. He already knows Jackson.”

Mom looks surprised. “Who is it?”

“Umm…Carter Daulton.”

Skylar’s eyes widen. “The sex god we were googling last week?”

I nod. “That’s the one. I randomly met him earlier this week and we hit it off right away.”

Beth smiles. “I’ve seen him around. He’s gorgeous. Nicely done, Reagan. If you decide you don’t like him, be sure to send him my way.”

I laugh. “I’ll be sure to do that.”

Aunt Cass glares at me. “Is this the Daulton who’s causing all the problems for your business?”

“His father is causing me problems. Carter has no interest in any of it. He’s a nice guy. Jackson said so himself.”

Aunt Cass narrows her eyes at me. “We’ll see about that.” I internally laugh. Aunt Cass is going to crucify Carter. I told him they wouldn’t buy it.

Fortunately, Harley changes the topic. “Mom, I’ll be a little late. I have a sugaring appointment, and that’s only timeslot I could get this week that I don’t have work.”

Aunt Cass looks at her in question. “I’m almost afraid to ask, but what’s sugaring?”

Harley looks surprised. “Are you serious? You don’t know what sugaring is?”

Aunt Cass shakes her head, as do Mom, Beth, Jess, and Skylar. Harley looks at me. I throw my hands up in surrender. “Sorry, but I don’t know either.”

Harley smirks. “I can’t believe I know something about vagina care that you six don’t know. I suppose I learned about it in Huntington Beach when we were visiting. Sugaring is like waxing, but more natural. They use sugar, lemon, and water. They roll it into a sticky ball to remove your hair. They remove the hair in the opposite direction as waxing, so it doesn’t irritate your skin as much. It’s also less painful.”

Aunt Cass scoffs. “You let some stranger put sugar in your vagina?”

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