So much for my Kelsey-free night. There’s not a chance Evie will let me pull her away from Kelsey and her friends now.
I walk over and suddenly have no idea what to do with my hands. Do I hug Kelsey? Or maybe go for a firm handshake? A little wave? I’m way out of my depth here.
Before I can do something stupid, I shove them in my jeans pockets. “Fancy seeing you here.”
She raises a brow. “Are you following me, Frankenstein?”
“You wish, Anderson.” I really need to come up with a better nickname to irk her. Trying to avoid a conversation with Kelsey, I turn to her friends. “Which pumpkins are your favorite so far?”
Shayna sighs dreamily. “Definitely the one of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.”
“I’m partial to Jack Sparrow.” Mallory kicks at a pebble on the path.
“And you?” I look at Alyssa.
“There’s only one real answer to that question: Taylor Swift.”
“That one was so pretty.” Evie pops up between Alyssa and Shayna, grabbing each of their hands. They must’ve really bonded for her to feel this comfortable around them.
“Which one was your favorite, Evie?” Shayna swings their joined hands.
“Elsa!”
Alyssa smiles down at my niece. “It was cool that the ‘Let It Go’ track was playing in the background there.”
“It wasn’t a track. Elsa was singing it.” Evie shoots us all aduhexpression.
“Right, silly me.” Alyssa thunks her forehead with her palm, making a goofy face and pulling a laugh out of Evie.
Evie continues forward, talking animatedly with Shayna, Alyssa, and Mallory, leaving me behind to walk beside Kelsey. I can’t help but wonder if this was planned.
I clear my throat. “You know, I had to change my pants before coming here.”
She stifles a laugh. “Why is that?”
I turn on my heels. “I think you know why.”
“What did you do?” Mallory turns around and nudges Kelsey’s arm, looking amused.
Well, at least I know her friends are listening and that this walking situation was definitely planned. Whether it was forced on Kelsey like it was on me has yet to be determined.
Kelsey shrugs. “I was just continuing what he started.”
“I think you mean whatyoustarted,” I correct.
“Then you pranked me.” She points an accusatory finger my way. “I was only returning the favor.”
“Or you could’ve done nothing and accepted defeat.”
Kelsey smirks, looking like the thought of crowning me the victor is ridiculous. “Never.”
Mallory clears her throat. “Do we need to leave you two alone? Or…”
“No,” Kelsey and I say simultaneously.
Her lips pull up into a sly smile. “Just say the word if you change your mind.”
Once Mallory is a few steps ahead, I nudge Kelsey’s elbow with mine. “Sounds like we’ve added another matchmaker to our list.”
