Summer Breeze Kisses - Addison Moore Page 0,54

been crushing on me since he was thirteen. In fact, that day it happened”—I glance at the tablecloth and pull on a stray fiber—“he was one of the last people I spoke to.” The memories rush back like a flood. It was just Holt and me in that stifling studio after the girls ran out to change. I can still see him standing there, looking at me a moment too long, and even then I knew what he was thinking. “He said I was beautiful.” Tears blur my vision, and I sniff them back, shoving another cookie in my mouth before they have a chance to surface. I swallow it down as if I were trying to dam up the past. “Jem”—I press my lips in tight—“I think I love him. In fact, I know I do.”

“Izzy”—she whispers so low it sounds like a hiss—“those words were meant for sharing.” She bears into me with a solemn nod. “The sooner the better.” She gets up and pours me a tall glass of milk and pushes the pan in my direction. “So—how was it? Did you walk funny in the morning? ‘Cause if you didn’t, I hate to break it to you—you did it wrong.”

She hedges her hand toward mine, and I’m quick to smack her away.

“Walk funny? I could barely stand. You didn’t tell me it would feel like someone scraped me raw with a sanding belt.”

“Ooh!” She squeals. “He must be a big one.” Jemma starts in with a spontaneous applause.

“Would you stop?” I throw a piece of my cookie at her. “I’m glad you’re amused, and, since you asked, yes, he is well-endowed.” Not that I would know the difference, but my insides seem to confirm this theory all on their own.

“Anything else?” She gravels it out, rife with sexual pretense. “Does that boy like toys—or was his new pet kitty enough to keep him occupied?”

“No toys. But he does have an affinity for syrup.” I clamp my hand over my mouth because I’m about to regret this.

Jemma lets out a whoop and stomps both her hands over the table like she’s rooting for the home team, and, in a way, she is.

“I called it!” She howls. “That boy is a freak of nature.”

“He is, but in a good way. I’m afraid together we might be just plain freaks.” I wrinkle my nose. “I hate that I’m older than him.”

“You’re insane.”

“No, really. It sort of bugs me. I mean not when we’re together. I don’t even notice it. But I wonder if other people do. Is that weird?”

“Yes, and I think we’ve already established the fact you’re weird in general, so get over it. You’re the new it couple. You’re the couple of the new millennium. You’re like Ashton and Demi.”

“Newsflash Ashton and Demi aren’t together anymore. He’s currently with a much younger woman.”

“So sue me. I’ve got kids and live under a Dora-shaped rock.” She leans in like a tiger about to pounce. “So you sharing? Or is this one going on the private reserve list.”

“No, I’m not sharing.”

“Sharing is caring.”

God, she’s drooling now.

“Creating STDs does not say you care. Holt is mine, back off, Jem. Besides, aren’t you off the market?”

She blows out an unsteady breath. “Ron says he wants to see other people.”

“See? As in see other people?”

“As in see what they have to offer under the hood, take ‘em for a test drive—you know the drill—try out another model.” She picks up a cookie and taps it over the table. “But I guess I’m okay with it.” She shakes out her blonde curls, and they catch the light streaming in from the window. I’ve always admired her lemon waves. In fact, I’ve always admired everything about Jemma, but, lately, her life just looks hard—three kids, almost just as many husbands under her belt, and now this new arrangement. I don’t think I could handle it if Holt were seeing other people on the side.

“How are you okay with this?” I’m afraid to tread in this direction. I can tell by the crumbling look of grief on her face that she’s not okay with any of it.

“I don’t know. I think maybe it’s time to settle down and find me a sugar daddy.” She blinks a quick smile. “God knows I’m going to need one. Denny hasn’t paid child support in two months. If this keeps up, I’ll be needing a J-O-B, and the only J-O-B I’m currently skilled at has the word blow in