Forever After All - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,37

are snuggled on the love seat, and McKenna and I are on the couch. We’re not cuddled up, but we are sitting closer than two people need to on this big couch. “Now, unless you need me to perform another wedding….” He glances around the room, wearing a cocky grin.

“We’re working on that,” Colby replies.

“I’m only getting married once,” I tell him. It’s true. I want to settle down and do it right.

“Well, you’ve already fucked that up. You married Mac twice now.”

“Hey! Are you saying I’m a mistake?” McKenna asks, barely holding in her laughter.

“No, but you could have chosen the better-looking of the two of us.” He taps his hand to his chest.

“And what would Sara think?” McKenna teases.

“Well-played, Mac. Well-played.” He winks at her. “Anyway, Russ bowed out. He’s working on his truck, and Josh is out with Stephanie at her sister’s wedding. So, yeah, fifth wheel.” He points at his himself. “I’m out.” He waves to all of us as he turns for the door.

“You good to drive?” I call after him.

“Yeah. Only had two beers, and that was hours ago, and a whole hell of a lot of food later.”

“Call me if you need a ride.”

“Oh, I think Sara can handle that.” He wags his eyebrows, and then he’s out the door.

“Well now, since it’s just the four of us, why don’t we play some cards?” Colby suggests.

“I suck at cards,” Laramie complains.

“Let’s just watch a movie,” this from McKenna.

“That. Let’s do that.” My sister nods and points at her best friend as if the idea is the best one she’s heard in her entire life. “I’ll grab some more wine, and you pick,” she tells McKenna, tossing her the remote.

“Me? I don’t care what we watch.” She then tosses the remote into my lap.

“No,” Laramie whines dramatically. “They’re going to make us watch some thriller or shoot-’em-up movie.”

“Come on, it won’t be that bad,” McKenna says.

“Yes, it will!” she calls over her shoulder from the kitchen.

“Choose wisely, my friend,” McKenna says with a smile for me.

“Please, choose wisely,” Colby pleads. “You know she’s more opinionated when she’s been drinking.” While he says the words, there’s a soft smile playing at his lips that’s always there whenever my sister is involved.

Laramie comes back with her hands full. She passes me a beer and then does the same with Colby. She tops off McKenna’s wineglass, which is almost running over, and does the same to hers before setting the empty wine bottle on the table, taking a hefty drink, and then sitting on Colby’s lap.

Lifting my arm in the air, I’m ready to launch the remote to the love seat my sister and Colby are sitting on. A loud crack of thunder so loud it feels as though it rattles the house strikes, and then the lights go out.

“Shit.”

“Well, that makes the decision for us.” McKenna laughs.

“I’ll dig out some flashlights, candles, and a lighter.” I stand to go searching for what we need. “I have a couple of oil lamps too,” I tell whoever happens to be listening to me ramble on in the darkness of my living room.

“I’ll help,” comes from Colby as he turns on the flashlight of his cell phone and follows me into the kitchen. Using my phone light as well, I rummage around in the drawers until I find the lighter I used to light the candles for my dinner with McKenna’s Thursday night. Then I make my way to the dining room and snag them from the table.

“When did you get those?” my sister asks once the candles are lit and sitting on the coffee table.

“I’ve had them.” It’s a lie, and we both know it, but she doesn’t call me out on it either. “I have a few more. I just need to dig them out.”

“Where are the lamps?” Laramie asks.

“On the mantel.” I turn around and, with the light of my cell phone flashlight, grab them and light both, which fills the room with a soft glow.

“It’s either ghost stories or bed,” Laramie suggests.

“Ugh. I vote bed if those are our only options,” McKenna groans.

“Fine. Party-pooper. You guys keep a lamp, and we’ll keep one.”

“I should probably go home and check on my grandparents,” McKenna says just as her cell phone rings. With the dim lighting, I watch as she pulls it out of her pocket and answers. “Hello.” She listens quietly. “Yes, the power just went out.” More listening. “Oh, okay. That makes sense. All right,