Summer Breeze Kisses - Addison Moore Page 0,119

taking our order.

Lynette orders the special of the day without bothering to inquire what it might be, and my father, Rex, and I all follow suit. Once she takes off again, both Lynette and my father glue their distraught gazes in our direction.

“Batter Bits,” my father pleads with a disparaging look of heartbreak. “But we thought you were pure?”

Lynette exchanges her disappointment for something far crankier as she wrinkles her nose in disgust at the two of us. “Your father was so pleased to hear it. He bragged to all of his golf buddies what a rarity his little Batter Bits was.”

“Oh, but I like totally am still a virgin.” And, apparently, a Valley Girl. My face heats so hot I can qualify as my own solar surface. “I mean, Rex and I do everything but the actual deed.” My body temperature spikes to unnatural, unsafe levels. I’m pretty sure there’s not a person on the planet who willfully discusses their “horizontal mambo” with their father for crap’s sake. What the hell was I thinking?

The color begins to return to his face, and for the first time all night, he’s actually breathing again.

I glance over to my partner in abstinence to find Rex shaking his head ever so slightly at the fact I’ve essentially set our plan in retrograde.

“Well, that’s a relief.” My father relaxes in his seat. Obviously, he’s not cut out for that kind of news. It was on the verge of causing a cardiac episode. And one thing is for darn sure—I refuse to kill my beloved father by way of rumors concerning my vagina, pristine as it may be.

“But I won’t be for long.” I pull Rex in even closer until our shoulders are crammed up against one another. His breath tickles over my cheek as he looks to me for what might come next. “I mean, we’re planning on doing the deed very, very soon.” I sweep my gaze to the floor when I say it. There’s no way in hell I’m looking my father in the eye while filling him in on the fact I’m devising a cherry popping party in the very near future.

“What do you mean you’re planning it?” Lynette spits the words out as if there were nothing so vile.

Rex and I exchange glances. Neither one of us anticipated this disarray of indelicate details to take place. This entire night has become a nightmare.

“I’m saving myself.” When the going gets tough, I’ve always doubled down on logic.

“For your wedding night?” Lynette nods as if encouraging me to admit to what might amount to the only detail that will set my father’s heart at ease.

I can see where’s she’s going with this. As long as Rex and I aren’t sleeping together, then we’re as wholesome as apple pie in her eyes. She’ll convince my father of the same, and they’ll practically be skipping down the aisle come August.

“For your wedding night actually.” Crap. So not what I had anticipated popping out of my mouth.

The entire table lurches as my father engages in a spontaneous coughing fit.

“Crap.” Rex runs his fingers through his hair in what I’m assuming is an attempt not to lose it. As soon as one of us breaks, they’ll realize this is all a big act and resume their happily-never-after status. We can’t lose it now. Everything is at freaking stake.

“That’s right.” I grab ahold of Rex’s hand once again. “We’re building up to the big night right along with you. It just so happens to be our one-year anniversary as a couple. It’s simply a coincidence.” I lean into Rex and smear a greasy grin. “Isn’t that right, Goober?”

“That’s right, Muffin Top.” He grimaces in lieu of a smile. “Once the two of you cut that cake, we’re hitting the sheets. So, where are we staying anyway?”

“We?” Dad’s jaw becomes physically unhinged. “Your mother and I are staying at the cabin. We were thinking of having a lakeside wedding in the afternoon. That will give the rest of you plenty of time to head back home.”

“The Happy Squirrel!” My voice pitches to unnatural levels. “That’s fantastic! You and Mom can have the downstairs, and Rexy and I will take the second level.” I bounce in my seat while swooning at the boy I’ve completely lost my sanity for quite literally. “We’ll try not to make too much noise.”

“Scarlett!” Dad hollers so loud half of the restaurant goes quiet. “There’s no way in hell I’m inviting you along on