Layers of Us (Second Generation Book 2)

Chapter 29

EMBER

After spending the morning with Peyton and Miles, I finished cleaning up the kitchen and then made my way back home. I took a nice long shower and change into my normal Sunday attire which is cotton shorts and a tank top. By the time I get back downstairs, Stef has also risen from the dead and is getting to work on cleaning our kitchen at home.

“Hey sexy, what did you end up doing last night?” I saw as I wrap my arm around Stef’s waist and give her a hug while she scrubs the pans.

“Just hung out here.”

“Uh-huh, and who were you hanging out with?”

She looks over at me and a huge smile grows on her face. “If I tell you this, it has to stay between the two of us.”

“Of course! Why so secretive?”

“We’re just, I don’t know, having fun right now. Neither of us is ready to settle down, but I know if it gets out that people are going to totally couple us and that is the last thing we want to happen.”

“I can respect that. So who is it?”

“Deacon.”

I squeal and slap her in the arm. “Are you freaking kidding me?”

“Ouch! What was that for?” She rubs her arm where I just hit her.

“Sorry, I got excited. That’s huge, Stef. Wow, I could totally see that, he’s always had his eye on you.”

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not lying. Clearly, you’ve noticed it too is the two of you started a thing.”

“I guess.”

“You seem excited, geez.” Stef rolls her eyes at me. “So listen, what do you think about inviting Harlow to come over tonight?  I know we usually just hang out the two of us, but I was thinking it would be fun to invite her over.”

“Yeah, totally. That’s funny I was actually thinking the same thing, that we should start inviting her too.”

“Woohoo, alright, I’m going to text her.”

Me: Hey Harlow, Stef and I were wondering if you wanted to come over for pizza and a girl’s night.

Harlow: Oh Em Gee, YES! I’m totally in. What time?

Me: I don’t know, say 6:00?

Harlow: I’ll be there!

I make a trip to the store to buy the essentials for a girl’s night. A variety of meats and cheeses, some crackers and little flat breads, a couple of types of dip, and of course enough wine to fill a cellar. I was slicing everything up and arranging it on platters when Harlow rang the doorbell. Stef let her in and the two of them were already in full chit chat form when they got to the kitchen.

“Lookie here, Ems!” Stef is holding up a small mason jar, “Harlow brought her world-famous bacon jam.”

“Oh stop, it is hardly world famous. I guess we could say ranch famous, but that is about it.”

“I don’t care what kind of famous it is, I can’t wait to try it and it’ll go great with the rest of the assortment I put together.”

“Mmm, I love a good charcuterie plate.”

“Do you want white or red, Harlow? Stef sets down three wine glasses and then grabs the bottles that I got at the store.

“Don’t freak out or anything, but I’m going to abstain from the drinking tonight.”