AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Hot pepper alert!” Allie yells, and we both grab her arms, running to the ice cream station beside the smaller bar.
“It’s burning all the way down my throat!” Liv bounces up and down on her toes, crying as Allie rips the cardboard lid off the small cup of ice cream. “It’s burning my stomach!”
“Don’t panic.” I pass her the ice cream. “Eat this, quick!”
She puts her entire tongue into the ice cream, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’m going to be sick!”
Allie runs back with a handful of napkins, holding them for her and rubbing her back. “Hang in there. It’ll be over soon. Tryto stay calm.”
I hand her a spoon, and she dips the ice cream out, swallowing big bites as she sniffs and wipes the tears and snot away.
“It kept getting hotter and hotter. I didn’t think it was going to stop.” Her wide eyes are on me, and I nod.
“Some of those hot ones can be really scary. You’ll get the hang of it.”
“I don’t know if I want to!”
Allie hands her another cup of ice cream. “I’d better get back to Miss Gina.”
“Thanks, Allie!” Liv calls as our friend dives back into the crowd of dancers.
“You okay?” I frown-smile.
She takes another small bite from the new cup. “This helps a lot. I get the wholeDarepart now.”
The music dies down, and I press my lips together. “I can’t thank you enough for helping us with Eddie. If there’s any way I can ever repay you?—”
“Don’t mention it.” She waves the wooden spoon in front of her. “Glad to help out. That guy was the worst.”
“My dad, I know.” Shame heats my cheeks, and I study my twisted fingers.
“Don’t be embarrassed. We can’t always pick the men in our lives.” She reaches out to squeeze my hand. “Looks like you’re doing better now, though! Zane Bradford is a good man.”
“He’s the best.” I glance past her to the side porch where Eddie is playing pool away from the noise.
“Congratulations on your engagement.” My stomach flips, and she shakes her head. “No, that’s not right.”
“What?” I can barely get the word out for the air whooshing from my lungs.
“It’sbest wishes.” She flutters an eye-roll. “You tell the bride-to-bebest wishes. You tell the groomcongratulations.”
I can’t speak, and she studies my face. “Is it a secret? Zane told me in Birmingham y’all are engaged.”
Taking a careful step back, I rub my hand over my heart. “I’ll be right back.”
Energy pulses in my veins, and I go to the screen door, hesitating before I open it.
Eddie is methodically clearing the pool table, while Kimmie holds Smokey, explaining to the struggling feline how kitties don’t have to be afraid of turtles.
Zane stands back watching, his strong arms crossed over his chest and a contented smile on his face.
When I told Edward earlier he didn’t have to go back to Birmingham, he simply nodded. “Zane fixed it.”
It wasn’t a question, and I covered his hand with mine. “He did.”
“Zane always keeps his word.”
Tears heated my eyes as I agreed. “It’s true. He does.”
