“Ugh. How can you be so neutral about him? He is spectacular.” I sighed dramatically. “Didn’t you read that tabloid I gave you? He’s dreamy.”
“I’m not neutral, he’s gorgeous. But I can hardly be ga ga over someone I’m never gonna meet. It’s a waste of ga-ga-ing.”
I chuckled. “So on the subject of boys though … Chase could be the ideal candidate. If he’ll stop bromancing your brother for a second.” I scowled, noticing Chase, Joseph, and Colt were still deep in discussion. Joey was definitely the most eye-catching of the three. I shook my head. “I mean, I’m not interested in dating anyone. Hang out, maybe. But I’m thinking someone who’s here on vacation, a summer fling. Chase fits the bill. He’s here for two weeks.”
Keri Ann sat up and crossed her legs giving me a scowl. “Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack.” I sat up too. “Look, I just don’t see what the big deal is.” I really didn’t. “We don’t live in a society where virginity is some big prize for our future husbands. Anyway, I’ll never get married. Remember, I’m planning on being an eccentric photojournalist and hotelier who travels the world and has amazing affairs with interesting men. Starting now, I’ll perfect the art of getting in and out without getting my heart broken. I just need to get the first step out of the way.”
“About this being a photojournalist and a hotelier? I’m not sure how that works. Wouldn’t owning a hotel require you to stay in one place?”
“Ugh,” I complained, laughing. “Trust you to focus on the logistics of my career choices and not my sexual plans.”
“Well, at least you have career choices.” She chuckled. “And I just don’t want to see you let down.”
“Well, if I don’t put much stock in my virginity, I won’t be let down right?” I raised an eyebrow, proud of my reasoning.
“But don’t you want your first time to be with someone you really trust? I mean, it’s so intimate, and I don’t care what you say but sex for sure has emotions attached. I can’t believe otherwise.”
“You read too many romances, K.”
She shrugged. “Probably. But you need to find someone you trust, even if they’re here for a short time,” she added at my warning look. “And preferably someone with a bit of experience, at least one of you should know what you’re doing so it’s not awful.”
I grinned. “So you’re on board with my plan?”
“I didn’t say that. I think it’s ridiculous.”
“But you’ll help me anyway?”
She sighed. “You’ll do it anyway, no matter what I say. So yeah, I guess I’ll support you.”
“Yes,” I said gleefully and pumped my fist in the air. “Now, I just need to get your brother out of the way.”
She chuckled. “God, you two. Is it too much to ask that my brother and my best friend actually get along?”
“Is it too much to ask that my best friend’s brother not be an arrogant asshat?”
“Honestly, don’t you think he’s mellowed somewhat? I think he’s been so busy trying to get done with school in three years and trying to get into a med program, that he seems a bit more … humble.”
“Joseph Butler? Humble? I’ll believe it when I see it.” I glanced off toward him. He was taller than Chase. The kind of tall that could make a tall girl like me still feel delicate. He was laughing at something. “Unless he didn’t get to rely on that smile of his. Or if he lost an eye. Or developed a wart nose and grew a hunchback. I can’t imagine that guy getting humble.”
“I knew it!” Keri Ann exclaimed.
“Knew what?” I said.
“You think my brother is hot.”
“MOM,” I WHISPERED, standing at my mother’s bedroom door. “Are you up?” I heard her come in really late last night, later than she usually did when she was the one locking up at the convenience store. A job I hated for her to do by herself. I was hoping now that she got the job at the hospital she could dump the store hours.
“Yeah, baby,” Mom said, her voice tired.
I pushed open the door, holding the hot cup of coffee I just made for her. She was cuddled up under the new duvet set I bought her for her birthday.
“Hey, I’m sorry to wake you, Mom.” I set the mug down on her white painted wicker bedside table. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” She stretched. “Just tired.”
“I’m heading out for the day. I won’t see you till later. I’m sorry I can’t spend our day off with you, I’m going to a CPR course on Hilton Head Island so I can work beach patrol this summer.”
My mom sat up and pushed her blonde bangs out of her eyes. Her eyes were blue like mine. She was still attractive for her age, and she’d been taking care of herself more lately, which I was glad about. It probably had something to do with her new job at the hospital. It had certainly raised her clothing game from the casual attire she wore at the convenient store.
I perched on the edge of her bed. “So, were you working late last night? I didn’t hear you come in.”