Page 109 of Just Between Us

“Shut it,” I hiss. “The both of you.”

Beside me Liam chokes on a laugh, and from somewhere deeper in Josie’s house I hear my uncle, Tyler, and Austin discussing March Madness.

“Let it be known, Josie, I’ve eaten plenty this morning, so I’m good with limp meat for now.”

Turning, I raise both hands in the air. “Not helpful, Liam.”

“So, you two are…what?” Josie points a spoon back and forth between Liam and me.

Liam’s arm circles my waist and he tugs me flush to his side. “We are officially girlfriend and boyfriend.”

“Right. I see.” She performs a slow nod. “And we’re also back in middle school from the sound of it.”

Liam’s chest lifts on a laugh. “Fuck off, Jos. You know what I mean. We’re together. She’s mine and I’m hers.”

Josie’s lip begins to tremble and tears fill her waterline at the same time Penny coos out an “aww,” her eyes brimming. “Thatwas beautiful, Liam.” She fans her face, blinking furiously. “Ignore me. Hormones.”

But I agree with Penny. Despite the start of this conversation, hearing Liam say I’m his and he’s mine is its own kind of sweetness.

Liam presses a kiss to my temple and releases me. “I’ll go see what everyone is up to. Leave you girls to talk.”

As soon as he’s out of earshot Josie and Penny squeal simultaneously.

“Sit. Sit.” Josie and Penny pull out chairs at the table, but I stay where I am.

“To be honest, sitting is a little uncomfortable right now.”

Their jaws drop at the same time. “Get it, girl,” Josie says. “So, you got a good dickin’.”

I roll my eyes but can’t fight my smile. “Did y’all know he’s pierced?”

Penny pauses, orange juice halfway to her lips and Josie slaps a palm to the tabletop. “Shut the front door. I mean, Liam’s always been cocky as hell. This shouldn’t surprise me. Only men who are confident in their abilities go and do shit like that.”

Memories of Liam’s many abilities take a front row seat in my mind’s eye, causing my cheeks to flush hot.

“Look at her face,” Penny whispers.

“Oh, I see it.” Josie replies, not whispering. “Our friend, Cassie has seen the promised land.”

I rub my temple because I haven’t had enough caffeine for all this. “I can’t with you two,” I say, turning on the heel of my dollar store flip flop. “I need breakfast. I’m starved.”

“I bet you are,” Josie says as she and Penny trail me into the dining room where my mom and Aunt Ashley still sit. “Hope y’all got enough to eat. Our girl Cassie has worked up appetite.”

“Last night, and apparently this morning, too,” Penny adds. I guess those hormones have made her extra saucy because she’s usually shushing Josie.

I shoot them a look and begin filling my plate with eggs,room temperature bacon, and sliced strawberries. Gingerly, I take a seat next to my mom.

Last week she asked how I’d feel if she stayed in Singing River for a while to spend more time with Austin and me and we made plans to have lunch here soon.

March is a fickle month, indecisive on how it’ll behave, but the weather is supposed to be beautiful this upcoming week.

“I heard there’s a new pizza food truck down near the marina. Want to do lunch Wednesday?” I ask between bites.

Mom’s face lights up. “Henry told me about that. Sure. Lunch sounds perfect.”

I bump her shoulder with mine. “Henry, huh?”

It seems during her time here, my mom caught Henry’s eye. We all know she’s not ready to move into a new relationship, but if there was anyone I’d hope for my mom it would be Henry.