Page 118 of Sour Notes

The subtlest hint of a smile crosses her lips, then she sucks in a deep breath. “Okay. Fine. Let’s do it.”

Fuck yeah.

Now I just have to hope that crap doesn’t make my dick fall off.

She picks up the tube but just as she slips out the instructions, the room phone rings.

God-fucking-dammit.

I hate that fucking phone.

She skips over to answer it, glancing back at me to nod at the tube.

I deliberately ignore her insinuation that I start this ridiculous science experiment alone. Not a bat’s chance in hell I’m risking that without adult supervision.

“Oh, hey, Nick…”

Fuck, I forgot to ask her about the stupid quiz.

“Yeah, thanks. I’m much better.” Her inquiring eyes rise to meet mine while I wait to see her reaction to Nick’s latest harebrained activity.

“Ha, okay, sure. We’ll be there. Get ready to have your ass kicked, my Wolfie knows everything about me.”

Don’t I know it.

27

MIA

“Roll up, roll up. Everyone grab a chair. Let’s give a round of applause to the lovebirds competing this evening. Bame! Let’s go!” Mario bows, ushering us onto the pool beds while he paces the length of them like an army drill sergeant.

“First up, front and center, lovebirds of the hour, Niiiiiiiick and Layla. Dating for twelve years before he finally decided to put a ring on it. Took you long enough sir, amiright?”

Nick throws his head back with a good-natured laugh when Layla nods her head in violent agreement with Mario.

“Next up… Maria and Taki, parents of our esteemed groom, childhood sweethearts—or should I say arranged marriage in the good ol’ days.” He winks, drawing another laugh from everyone.

He’s not wrong. Their parents picked them for each other. It’s just how things were done back then.

They clearly had better luck than me. Mom’s attempts at setting me up have been a freakin’ disaster.

She’s lucky she met Dad. He can handle her larger-than-life personality and nonstop ribbing. He’s super chill, hardworking, and loyal. Everything a good partner should be.

Sounds like someone else I know.

Swayze hasn’t pushed me to talk about yesterday, taking it in stride and letting me process things at my own pace. I know I should apologize for my meltdown, but he’s made it so easy to fall back into an even, chilled, no pressure, fun vibe.

I side-eye him sprawled out on the lounger beside me, looking all kinds of hot in a heather gray t-shirt, which, given the way he’s braced on his elbows, highlights every ridge and dip of his ripped body. The deliciously low v-neck and bare arms only draw more attention to the ink decorating his skin.

Ink I’d love to trace with my tongue.

Uhh Mia… what are you doing?

Fuck. The sun really must be messing with me. It’s not like I can use the freakin’ horny excuse since the other night’s little sexcapade should keep me going for at least six months.

Wellll, okay. Fine. I prooobably can’t blame the excess vitamin D for reactivating the horny hellcat since I’m the one who bribed him into cloning his dick for me.

“Aaaaand, last but not least, Mia and Swayze! Young love at its finest. These two might have only been official for—wait, how long have you been official for?” Mario swivels his head toward us.