I whimpered. “He even has a chihuahua.”

Ava’s eyes widened. “Ask him! Now!”

“I’m not texting him now!”

“Why not?”

“Because he’s at work.”

“And how do you know that?”

“I think you should go away.” I folded my arms across my chest.

Halley sniggered. “You don’t have to do it now, but seriously, Reagan… You haven’t been on a date in forever. Even if you don’t have anything romantically—because no, liking the way his dick looks is not the basis for a romantic connection—you’re either going to be friends or fuck each other a few times, and that’s okay.”

She had a point.

I was insanely attracted to Noah, and sometimes, when he looked at me, I got the feeling that he was attracted to me, too.

Maybe I did need to stop being a hypocrite and just ask Noah out.

What was the worst that could happen?

***

I picked up my phone before putting it back down on the sofa again. I’d been pacing the living room now for ten minutes. Thankfully, nobody else was at home, or they’d have carted me back off to the hospital to be admitted for mental health reasons.

At least that was what Aunt Bethel had threatened when she’d heard me on the phone to Noah until late last night.

I thought she was the one who needed admitting for mental health reasons.

The front door opened. “Mom?”

“She’s not here,” I shouted toward my brother.

“Fuck’s sake.” The front door closed, and Preston clomped into the living room. “Where is she?”

“Hi, sis. How are you, sis? Good to see you up, sis.”

He pulled me into a one-arm hug. “Yeah, yeah, you’re fine. Where’s Mom?”

“I don’t know. I’m not her keeper.” I dropped down onto the sofa and caught my phone before it bounced off. “Why?”

“She didn’t do the order for the store like she was supposed to and she’s not answering her phone.” He huffed and sat down on the ottoman by the fireplace. “I bet she’s shopping. She has to feed you, after all.”

“Hey, asshole, it’s not my fault they have me under house arrest.”

“You had lunch with that guy yesterday and Halley and Ava today. How is that house arrest?”

“I had to beg them to let me out yesterday and I snuck out today.” I flipped my phone and caught it again. “Don’t tell Aunt Bethel that.”

“Your secret’s safe with me.” Preston smirked and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “So the guy.”

“Don’t you start as well.”

“What do you mean? You’re my little sister. I’m just looking out for you.”

“No, you’re being a nosy bastard.”

“I’m looking out for you!”

“Preston, you can say it as many times as you like, but it doesn’t make it true.”

He sighed, shaking his head. “Halley already told me who he is. She seems to think you’re gonna chicken out of texting him.”

“I knew you weren’t looking for Mom.”