Page 26 of Cruel Revenge
Gia snorts as she follows Ellie. “I’m the one that’s twenty weeks into a pregnancy. If there’s anyone turning into a monster without food, it’s going to be me.”
Summer turns to both of them with a wicked smile. “Please help me convince Skyla that she needs to let us throw a wedding reception for her since she decided to get married without telling any of us.”
Ellie’s jaw hits the ground. “She what?”
I groan and tilt my head back, looking up at the ceiling. “I got married. Eloped. Thought about never telling any of you, to be honest, but it was going to come out sooner or later.”
Gia laughs and leans on the counter beside me. “I didn’t even know you were seeing anyone, and we go out together every week.”
I comb my fingers through her long, dark hair. “I only spend time with you to see my niece and future nephew.”
“You love me, and we both know it. The kids only have a little something to do with that.” Gia puts her hand over her stomach. “I can’t wait until he’s here. Not looking forward to the kicks in the ribs. Wish I could skip that stage and go from here straight to the birth.”
Jade clears her throat. “I think we’re losing sight of what’s really important here, which is throwing the best reception ever. We need to have one.”
Summer nods. “We have to. You didn’t want us there for the wedding, and that’s fine, but we want to do this for you. We want to drink way too much alcohol and spend time getting to know your new husband.”
“You two always have a way of taking things over the top.” I slide down from the counter to properly stir the sauce as the tomatoes Jade added start to break down. “I don’t want this to be some big event that ends up getting out of hand.”
Jade wraps her arms around my waist, giving me a tight hug. “Does that mean you’re going to let us throw you a party?”
“It means that I’m willing to think about it. Maybe.”
Though, I know it’s a good idea. If there’s anything that’s going to sell the relationship as a real one, it’s going to be throwing a big party and inviting all of our friends and family. People are going to see Joshua and me together as a couple for the first time.
Which also means that we have to act like we’re in love and sell the relationship.
Jade squeals as she turns to Summer. “We’re going to have to plan the classiest party ever.”
“Damn.” Ellie smirks and leans against the fridge. “I was hoping to whip out my keg stand skills at your reception.”
When she reaches for a piece of cheese, Summer reaches out and smacks her hand out of the way.
“You have to go get changed out of those nasty scrubs before you start touching the food.”
Ellie rolls her eyes and takes off for the stairs.
Gia follows her as the sound of Bianca padding around upstairs echoes through the house.
As soon as we’re alone, the twins both turn to me with matching smiles. It’s odd that they can whip out the same smile while being opposites in other regards of their lives.
Summer advances on me first, pulling out her phone and flipping through pictures of backyard reception ideas. “What do you think about this? We could go black tie.”
“I’m not forcing people to stuff themselves into ballgowns and tuxes. Try a different theme and maybe I’ll say yes.”
Jade returns to the stove with a sly smile, taking the spoon from me and dumping spices into the sauce. “I don’t know. I think keg stand could be a fun theme.”
“You know, I didn’t think a trip to visit Aiden would devolve into you wanting to throw a keg stand competition for my wedding reception, but you think I would know better by now.” I lean over and look at the fresh bread one of them made earlier.
Jade grins. “A keg stand competition does sound like the way to go, but Ellie would kick all of our asses.”
I press my fingers to my temples. “If we do this, and that is a major if, we are not chugging from kegs. If I let the two of you do this, then it needs to be a respectable event. I’m sure Joshua is going to invite some of the people he works with, and we need to make a good impression on them.”
Summer pauses. “Joshua? As in Joshua Vitale or a different one?”
I sigh and break off the heel of the bread, spreading a bit of butter on it. “As in that one. But I didn’t think the two of you were going to turn this into an interrogation, either.”
Summer moves the loaf out of my reach. “You’re the one who likes to keep secrets.”
