Trials and Tiaras (Untouchable #7) - Heather Long Page 0,115

at my heart. “I worried so much I blew this year for you when I told you about their rules.”

“I’m really glad you did,” I told her. “I mean it. If you hadn’t…if you hadn’t given me that push, we might not be here. All of us. This is where I want to be.”

The guys didn’t say anything, but Rachel glanced at all of them, then at me. “I’m not going to tell them I’m sorry. But I am sorry about the way I did it to you. I should have known you’d take it so hard. Your heart is way too open.”

“Yes it is,” Coop told her, but he gave her a squeeze and then kissed her temple, and Rachel froze. “Don’t get all excited, Manning, just letting you know we forgive you. We all got Frankie, and it’s her birthday, and what the birthday girl wants…”

Was for them to all be friends. Fuck. The tears started falling, and Rachel rescued me with a swift and fierce hug. “Love you, girl,” she said in a quiet undertone. “And not just ’cause you’re hot and taking me to a Torched concert.”

That did it. I laughed, and it helped with the tears.

By the time I got my coffee back and had the album safely stowed in Jake’s car, Archie snagged me with an arm around my waist. “Hold on to your hat, babe. This is just the beginning of your birthday weekend.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Gotta Make A Wish

The day flew past, probably because I was floating through most of my classes. Prom court was announced over lunch, and fuck me, my name had been called. They plied me with a mocha espresso chocolate mousse cake, and I had a mouthful of it when they said my name. Archie and Jake high-fived, and the guys laughed. Rachel’s name was also called for the court, and I grinned at her.

All four of them got called for the guys side, and they looked a little on the stunned side. Ha, teach them to sign me up for something like that. Rachel winked at me. I gave her a one-armed hug and a chocolatey kiss to her cheek that had her shoving me off with a laugh.

Still, prom would be interesting. Honestly, between the card, the morning sex, the fact Jake and I had a date in the library right after lunch, and the concert that night, nothing was going to get me down.

Absolutely nothing.

Not even one half of bad meatloaf waiting for us at the apartment when we got there after school. Rachel had to run back to her place, but she would be here soon. I slid out of Jake’s car with Archie, even as Coop and Jake spilled out. Bless Jake, he moved right in front of me and Archie both. Ian wasn’t far behind as he pulled his bike in.

“Edward, how very unpleasant to see you here,” Archie said by way of greeting. “Why don’t you fuck right the hell off and skip the spoiling our day portion of the program.”

I cut a glance around the lot, looking for his car on the off chance he had Maddy with him.

“She’s not here,” Edward said, pulling my attention back to him. “She doesn’t even know I’m here.”

“You know what, babe,” Archie said over his shoulder. “Why don’t you and the guys go up and get ready. I’ll deal with this.”

That would be great, except I wasn’t leaving Archie to deal with his father. Interlacing my fingers with his, I leaned into him. “I’m good right here. We also have plans,” I told Edward. “So whatever this is, make it snappy.”

The corner of Archie’s mouth curved upward. Jake didn’t bother to hide his smile, he just folded his arms. “Yeah, Eddie. We’re listening,” he threw into the conversation. I didn’t have to look at Coop or Ian to know they were ready to back us up.

Instead of being put off by the show of solidarity, Edward merely loosened his tie as he narrowed the gap between us. I had no idea how long he’d been waiting outside of our apartment. I didn’t want to think about that.

“Happy birthday, Frankie,” he said to me, and I just shrugged. “I’m sorry to intrude today, but I had a gift for you drawn up from before, and while I’m aware that there was apparently some deception on Maddy’s part, it doesn’t change the fact I’d like to make amends with you.” Then he glanced at Archie. “And with