Page 47 of Tequila Tuesdays
I stared at Laurel. The conversation had gotten completely away from me. Damien was still struggling not to laugh. He was no help and this was a serious conversation, so I ignored him. I set my bags down on the entryway table to use my hands.
“You can call it your private circle or triangle, but the rhyme doesn’t work as well. ‘Stop, don’t touch me there. That is my privatesquare’ is easier to remember. And if you ever need to say it to anyone, you should shout it.”
Lennie gazed up at me. “Willie’s loud, he can do that.”
“You can too, Lennie. Like this.” I put my hands up in a dramatic gesture. “Stop, don’t touch me there. That is my private square!” I shouted and gestured to my private square.
Damien covered his mouth and was turning a little red from trying not to laugh. Damn him. Martina, Sebastian, and Zeke came in from the kitchen to see what was going on.
Martina looked around. “What’re you guys doing in here? It sounds way more exciting than what’s going on in the kitchen.”
Laurel motioned to the twins. “Harley’s talking with the boys about what to do if anyone ever touches them somewhere that makes them feel uncomfortable.”
“Ah,” Martina drawled out. “That’s pretty important to know.”
I nodded. “It kind of came up in our conversation. I’m not exactly sure how that happened, but itisimportant. Remember, the louder the better.”
They stared up at me and nodded.
Laurel finally stepped in. “Your mom will be here any minute, so go get your stuff. And Lennie, put your pants back on.”
“Bye, Harley.” Lennie patted my leg, and they took off running.
“Bye!” I called after them.
Sebastian shook his head in disgust. “It took three or four months for Lennie to purposefully stop fucking up my name. And it takes you five minutes.”
I picked up my bags and shrugged. “They look at me a little differently, I think. AndI’mnot trying to get into Laurel’s private square.”
Martina laughed and Laurel blushed beet red.
Zeke grinned. “Laurel, you’re going to tell us exactly what we missed. Because that last part was funny.”
She nodded. “When Boo and Lennie leave, I’ll fill you in.”
“I can hardly wait,” I said unenthusiastically.
Then Damien started laughing too and walked over to wrap his arm around my neck. “Legs, that wasn’t just funny, that was fucking hilarious.”
When the boys left, we took our dinner outside to enjoy Laurel’s beautiful back patio. It was one of the most inviting backyards I’d ever seen. The soft lighting climbing up the tall palm trees gave the area a soft, warm glow. The big loungers with black and white striped cushions and the assortment of pool toys made me think they spent a lot of time out here.
Laurel looked at me. “Harley, you said your sister gets in town next Thursday. So I propose we go that Friday or Saturday night.”
Damien raised his hand. “Zeke, Harley, and I have rec volleyball on Saturday mornings. So Saturday around noon would work better.”
Laurel nodded. “Then we’ll go next Saturday.”
“Joshua Tree would be a good choice. Or we can go to the San Jacinto wilderness area. It’ll be cold in mid-December though,” Damien said.
I sipped my wine and nodded. “Olivia and I are happy to go anywhere, but she’s never been to Joshua Tree, so that might be good for her first time.”
“I can get the permit,” Zeke volunteered.
Leaning back, I could feel Damien’s arm draped across the back of my chair. I cleared my throat. “One of these days I’d like to go to Zion National Park or maybe the Grand Canyon. Or even Moab.”
Damien had mentioned he and Zeke liked to mountain bike.
Zeke grinned enthusiastically. “I’d take a week off for a trip like that.”
