Kiss and Break Up (Magnolia Cove, #1)(16)

Things had been relatively normal between us. Well, as normal as normal could be with Dash’s mood swings.

“It’s going to be just fine, Pegs. He’s asked you out again.”

“I’m not worried.” Lying was easy after they’d made fun of me.

Daphne snatched the lip balm from my hand, then plucked a tissue from the box and started dotting my lips. “Tell that to your lying, over balmed lips.”

My shoulders deflated. “Okay, so I’m a little nervous. This could be my last shot.”

“If he doesn’t want to take you out again after this, that’s his loss, Pegs.” Mom stabbed a finger at me.

“You’re my mom. It’s your job to say that.”

Daphne tossed the tissue. “It’s the truth. He’s a bit daft, but he was sweet to Kayla. If he can be sweet with that girl, he’s going to find he’s hit the jackpot with you.”

Kayla was a piece of work at times, but I’d chalked it up to her being captain of the cheerleading team, head of the prom committee, and the daughter of a movie director.

“I can see that look in your eyes,” Daphne said.

“What if she’s still upset over their breakup?”

“Her mom’s a bitch, so I’m guessing she is too,” Mom interjected. “Don’t sweat it.”

“What?” I shot my eyes at her, and she shrugged.

“You already know she’s a bitch.” Daphne dragged my gaze back. “One who should’ve thought about that before cheating on him.”

That was true.

A knock on the door had us all freezing, then Mom was off the bed and racing out of my room. Daphne spritzed some perfume all over me, and I coughed.

Mom ran back into my room with a pair of white strappy sandals, then started shoving my feet into them.

“I feel like I’m being sent on stage.”

“Shush. Here.” Daphne handed me my one and only clutch. “There’s a stick of gum inside. Use it after dinner but ditch it as soon as you can. Even if you have to swallow it.”

Mom tutted. “Don’t swallow gum. Seven years in your intestines, Pegs.”

Thoroughly whiplashed, I wobbled to the door, shaking my head as I drew in deep breaths.

Byron was wearing crisp blue jeans, a deep blue polo shirt, and a dimpled smile. “Well, hey.”

“Hey.” I instantly regretted my choice of dress. “Look, we match.”

He chuckled. “Your mom home? Thought I’d better say hello before we leave.”

Mom yanked open the door behind me, and I almost jumped out of my skin. “Hey. Byron, yes?” She gently pushed me aside with her hand outstretched. “I’m Peony.”

Byron winked. “Peony. Wow, you guys have great genes.”

Mom clapped her hand over her chest with a giggle. “Oh, stop.”

“Okay, let’s go. See you later, Mom. Bye,” I rushed out, pushing past her and heading down the steps to Byron’s tricked-out truck.

I opened the door before he had the chance, then closed it as he climbed in the driver’s side.

“I’m so sorry. God.”

He started the truck, turning to me as we fastened our seat belts. “For what?”

I waved a hand at the house where Mom was still smiling in the doorway.

“Oh.” He chuckled once more. “Don’t sweat it. Your mom seems cool.”

I pursed my lips, unsure if I believed him.

“Seriously. I wish my mom greeted people like that. She’d rather hide away upstairs and remain self-medicated while watching daytime TV. All hours of the day.”

I winced. “I’m sorry.”

He backed out, his arm looping behind my chair, bringing with it the scent of that nose-tingling cologne. “It’s fine. She’s been going through a rough patch.”

“How long?”

He shifted into drive, his arm falling away. “About five years.”

Well, shit sundaes on Thursdays. “That’s, um …”

“A bit heavy for first date material?” He scrubbed a large hand down his face. “Yeah. Sorry, I’m out of practice.”

The word practice jolted me. “It’s okay. I’d rather talk about real things than the weather.”

Briefly, he glanced over at me, eyes bright and smiling. “Right.”

He remembered, so maybe he wasn’t that drunk. That didn’t bode well for the sneeze thing. “I’m still sorry about, um, sneezing on you.”

He laughed. “Not gonna lie, it was unexpected.”

“It was gross. You can say it.”

We crossed the small bridge that divided the mansions from the average homes of Magnolia Cove, the lights from town flickering bright up ahead.

“Okay, yeah. It was gross. But honestly?” He shot me a smile. “More funny than gross.”

I bit my lips, staring at his profile. “It’s your cologne.”

“What?”

“It made me sneeze. In fact, I can feel my nose itching right now.”

He let out a huff of air, turning to me at the lights. “For real?”

I sniffed for emphasis, my nose twitching as I tried not to sneeze.

“No way,” he said, laughter tinging his voice. “Well, I’ll be sure not to wear it next time. I’ve got some others I wanna try out anyway.”