Ties by Campbell Steph & Reinhardt Liz

Author:Campbell, Steph & Reinhardt, Liz [Campbell, Steph & Reinhardt, Liz]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Coming of Age, Contemporary, Romance, New Adult & College, Genre Fiction, Literature & Fiction
Amazon: B00DXZ3IR6
Goodreads: 18136605
Published: 2013-08-26T00:00:00+00:00

12 HATTIE

What’s the point of making rules if no one is going to follow them?

I’m thinking this, but I’m brushing my hair out and putting on an extra coat of mascara. I also consider stopping at one of the local markets to pick up flowers or a Bundt or something. I may be against the idea of having some wholesome family dinner with Mrs. Byrne, but I’m not a boorish ass.

I refuse to show up without a hostess gift.

Marigold catches me as I’m grabbing my keys and purse.

“Hello, sweetie.” She looks slightly disheveled, and I hear Rocko whistling in the kitchen as he prepares a sandwich. These two are not my parents, but I know when I see evidence of domestic sexy time.

She’s glowing.

The thing is, I’m not remotely grossed out or horrified like I guess people are when they catch parents engaging in hanky panky (I wouldn’t know firsthand...my mother kept all her romantic extracurriculars very secretive): I’m jealous.

It’s bad enough to watch Deo and Whit look at each other with absolute love and adoration all over their faces every second of the day. Now it just feels like everyone should have animated birds singing over their heads.

Except for me.

Not that I want all those pulsing hearts and swelling violins. But some fun? A nice, long, satisfying make out session? Maybe with a guy who just has to take off his shirt to get me completely, totally hot and bothered.

One gorgeously muscled back, and I’m throwing all my rules out the window. This is like the beginning of a Russian romantic tragedy. Note to self: no hanging around any train stations when this all goes to shit.

“Hey Marigold. I was just going to run out for a few. Do you need me to grab anything while I’m gone?” I’m asking to be polite, and I know Marigold will tell me that she’s fine, and I should go and enjoy myself.

She’s halfway through that exact speech when Deo bursts through the side door.

“Hey girls!” He gathers Marigold and me into a bone-popping bear hug, shaking us back and forth. “Hattie, I see you’re all ready to go. Good. Cohen and Maren are having some kind of bonfire, you’re invited, but you might want to change your dress real quick.” He tugs on my hair like I’m a little girl. “This is California, kid. Laid back. Look at you. So serious. What?”

“Thank you. For inviting me,” I begin as Deo waves my thanks off. “But I already made plans.”

Which I could easily cancel. Deo is actually handing me a perfect reason to cancel. So why don’t I?

“Plans where?” My brother drops all attempts at appearing civil, like he knows, somehow, where I’m headed.

“A friend invited me over for dinner. I’m actually going out to get a hostess gift.” I say it evenly, though I’m feeling some sibling annoyance rise up in me.

I spent the entire festival dancing with him and Grandpa, talking to Whit about amusement parks and beaches we’d both visited when we were young, and rubbing shoulders with various Rodriguezes.

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