Summer Breeze Kisses - Addison Moore Page 0,6

I’m the only damn person in the house who appreciates a good snooze-fest in the middle of the afternoon. I’m telling you, this summer is going to be the death of me.”

“Have they already handed out mother of the year?” I tease. “Because I think you’re a front-runner.”

“Damn straight I am.”

Laney fast approaches with two girls in tow.

“Izzy!” Laney pulls me into a hug and her cute, perky friend, Baya, gives a shy wave from behind. Roxy Capwell, her soon to be sister-in-law is next to her. “You remember Baya and Roxy, right?”

“Of course, I remember Baya, and I’ll never forget Roxy.” I lean over and give a deep rocking hug to my once upon a dance student. When Roxy was coming to the studio she was a shy, sweet thing, and now she’s a gorgeous-as-all-hell Goth girl who looks like she’d gut you for kicks if you smile the wrong way.

Roxy pulls back. “How’s everything at the ELDS?”

I’ve pretty much taken over the Electric Lights Dance Studio from my mother.

“Great,” I whisper, pulling away. Her eyes shine a deep shade of navy. Her pale skin acts as a dramatic backdrop for her dark hair with its cherry highlights. Roxy is a true beauty—heck, they all are. “And I never thanked you properly for throwing up on my favorite strappy heels a few months back. I cut myself out of them, by the way.” And swore off strappy footwear for the rest of my natural days. Anytime you voluntarily place yourself in bondage to try and garner the attention of the opposite sex, it’s not worth the effort. Then again, I’m never really after the attention of the opposite sex. That night happened to be another one of my sister’s hair-brained attempts at finding me a horizontal dance partner. You would think there was a crisis situation-taking place in my jeans that only a male spare part could fully alleviate. I don’t think Laney could ever understand the last thing I’m looking for is something quick and dirty. I’ve had enough unwanted physical attention to last a lifetime. But Laney doesn’t know that either. There are some things a little sister shouldn’t have to deal with. I’ve been protecting Laney for as long as I can remember, and I’m not going to stop now.

Holt’s sister, Annie, comes over, and I pull an empty seat right next to mine. She offers the sweetest, strongest hug, and it’s not until we pull away do I even see that she’s all grown up and a beauty queen in her own right. Gone are the coke-bottle glasses and braces, traded for diamond cut eyes that rival her brother’s, and a dazzling smile.

“Would you look at this?” I gasp at Laney. “We’ve got a bona fide supermodel among us.” I look to Roxy and Baya. “All of you.”

Annie gives a bashful smile and shakes her head refuting the idea. I can sign just enough to get by, but, for the most, part Annie is exceptionally good at reading lips.

“Two of my favorite students in one place.” I take them in. “You guys should come back to the studio sometime. We’re offering adult classes on the weekends.”

They exchange glances, making it pretty clear they have better things to do than trip the lights on a Saturday.

“Well, I gotta fly.” Jemma gives a quick glance around. “If you see my sister, tell the little brat I waited a solid fifteen. Ron is going to hack his head off if he has to sit on those kids another damn minute.” She takes a few swigs of the whiskey concoction Holt was kind enough to bring and slaps me a high five before jetting out the door.

Laney shakes her head. “It’s always a pleasure, Jem.” She cuts her dark blue eyes to mine. Laney and I look nearly identical, but my hair is longer and darker, my eyes just a touch lighter than hers. “She stiff you with the bill again?” Laney doesn’t wait for an answer. “Seriously, Iz? You need new friends. That girl has been trouble since you were fifteen.”

“Thank you, Mom.” I take a sip of my drink and feel the burn travel all the way down to my stomach. “Is that what you dragged me here to say?”

She gives a wry smile. “I dragged you here because I thought it would be nice to have my whole bridal party together at least once before the wedding.”

Bridal party? I glance to Annie. That’s strange, I never