On My Way - Eve Langlais Page 0,47

of them were absolutely crazy, although I did kind of like the bucket trap that spilled paint on whoever entered. Try and explain how you got soaked to the cops after that!

Dinner proved delicious, and not just because of the awesome food. The conversation proved lively, the laughter copious. I grinned almost constantly. And Darryl kept smiling back. During dessert, he even grabbed my hand under the table.

I blushed. It was like being a teenager with a crush all over again.

After dinner it was board game time, and given there were five of us, we couldn’t do any that required teams. We started with the game of Life, where Trish won, her car sporting two pink heads in the front and a full quad of kids in the back.

Then we played singles Euchre, where Darryl proved to be quite the card shark. Despite having switched to Coke Zero, my cheeks were hot, and I felt giddy. Drunk on happiness.

It was Tricia who pulled me aside when I went to the kitchen for a refill and hissed, “When are you going to stop making cow eyes at him and drag him into your bed?”

“Trish!” I exclaimed, my cheeks hot. I cast a glance over my shoulder across the open space, worried he might have heard. He was speaking with Winnie and didn’t look my way.

“Please. You totally have the hots for him. And he’s into you as well.”

He was interested in the Naomi he saw wearing clothes. His interest would fade fast when he confronted the reality. “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

Which was when she dragged it out of me. “I hate my body.”

“If it bothers you, then do something about it.”

“I did. I went on a diet and lost a bunch of weight.”

“So what’s the problem?” She sounded genuinely curious.

“My body is ugly.”

She eyed me. “Looks fine to me.”

“Because I’m camouflaging it,” I grumbled. “I’ve got a jiggly belly.”

“And?”

“Like super jiggly. As in I can grab the loose skin and play with it. And that’s not the only thing.” I gestured to myself. “Nothing is where it should be. My boobs are like deflated balloons with nipples that point south. It’s not attractive.”

“Says you.”

“Yeah says me.”

“I don’t think Darryl cares.”

“Only because he doesn’t know. I’ve seen myself in the mirror, Trish. If I can’t stand to look at myself, then how could he, or anyone for that matter?”

“Ah, sweetie.” Trish enveloped me in a hug that drew attention, because Marjorie drawled, “Should I be getting jealous?”

I pulled away from Trish and exclaimed, “I swear I am not putting the moves on her.”

At that Marjorie snorted. “Relax. I was teasing. You okay?” She neared with hands full of empty glasses. I looked over to see Darryl still talking to Winnie.

“Yeah. She’ll be fine.” Trish nudged me. “You’re not the only one who’s had to deal with body-image issues. It happens to all of us, especially as we get older and things change.”

“Sometimes I wish I could turn back time and undo the damage.”

“You still can, cherie,” Marjorie said softly. “I know a surgeon who does cosmetic surgery if you’re interested.”

This was the second time in as many days that it had been suggested. Was it really a viable alternative?

“Are you done yapping over there?” Winnie yelled. “I need to win back my stash of pennies.” Rather than use poker chips, we’d dug into the penny jar.

“Coming!” We returned to play, the spot by Darryl conveniently left open for me.

Around midnight Trish and Marjorie called it a night. Seeing Winnie yawn, I realized that it was time for me to turn in, too.

“I am really glad you stopped by tonight,” I said, walking Darryl to the door.

“Me, too.” He paused at the threshold and loomed over me. Butterflies chased themselves in my tummy.

He tilted my chin and brushed his mouth on mine. Soft. Feathery.

I blinked as he drew away. “Good night, Naomi.” He slipped out the door, but I remained standing in it, watching as the taillights of his truck disappeared down the drive. Letting the cool bite of the night bring down the temperature of my skin.

He’d kissed me. Not like Kane had that night at the bar. Darryl kissed me with the softness of possibility and respect. Was it wrong I wished he respected me a little less and kissed me a little harder?

The chill caused me to shiver. I really should get back inside. As I turned to leave, I saw him.

Jace. Standing at the edge of the trees separating our