“Hi,” my cousin Serena said after she gave me a bear hug.
“What are you doing here? When did you arrive? I didn’t know you would be back already!”
I took in the happy smile on my pretty cousin’s face, and returned it when she replied, “I was able to move my plans up. I’m home to stay!”
“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day,” I said, thinking how great it would be to finally have all my cousins back in Cherry Springs where they belonged. “I don’t need to rearrange anyone’s face or anything, do I?”
Serena shook her head and replied, “No, I don’t have a Laurel situation or anything.” She left my arms to jump into Reardon’s, leaving me wondering what the heck my cousins kept alluding to about Laurel.
8
Laurel
I always loved spending time with the Lewis family, probably because they were the polar opposite of my own family.
Whenever they were together, there was lots of laughter, some arguing, and always tons of love. I’d spent every moment possible with Jazzy and her family growing up, and it had turned my lonely existence into a very happy childhood.
I’d be forever grateful for Jasmine for that
, for sharing her family with me.
Luckily, they welcomed me with open arms, well, everyone but Dillon, and still included me in their functions to this day. When I lived in Houston, theirs were the houses I’d gone to visit over holidays, not my parents.
This was why I was at Gabe and Zoey’s house, ready to partake in brunch, when Dillon looked up at me from the conversation he was having with Gabe and frowned.
I shifted, uncomfortable under his stare, especially with thoughts of him leaving with that woman still fresh in my mind, and changed course to go back into the kitchen where I’d seen Jasmine talking with Serena.
“Hey,” I called as I walked inside.
Chloe and Zoey were at the stove arguing over whether to use garlic salt or garlic powder, and Serena and Jasmine were pouring mimosas. I walked toward the latter, holding my finger in the air, indicating I’d like one as well.
“A little hair of the dog?” Jazzy joked, but I wasn’t laughing.
I had waaay too many shots of Patron last night.
“Yes, please,” I begged.
“What’d I miss?” Serena asked, shifting her gaze back and forth between Jasmine and me.
“Just a night out at the bar, but this time it was Laurel pushing the drinks…”
“And Jasmine taking strangers home,” I added with a smirk. She’d probably thought I was too drunk to remember, but I’d definitely seen her slipping out the back with one of the guys who worked at the local auto shop.
“Ohhhh,” Serena sang, grinning at her cousin.
“He’s not a stranger,” Jasmine argued. “This was actually a repeat performance.”
“Really? Is it serious?” Rena asked, and I rolled my eyes.
“Pshaw, you know better than that.”
“What does that mean?” Jasmine asked, feigning offence, then shrugged and replied, “No, it’s not serious. He’s just a guy who’s good with his hands.”
“What are you ladies talking about?” I heard Dillon ask from behind me. I stiffened up, but didn’t turn, opting instead to play opossum.
“My love life,” Jasmine answered with a smirk.
“Gross. Stop it,” her brother said with a gag.