“Corinne, of course.” Which makes the less friendly girl Tara, Tanner’s sister. “Come in.” I follow her into the living room where the three of us shuffle uncomfortably. “Tanner has told me so much about both of you. He went out to get food, but he should be back any minute. I didn’t think you were coming until next week. Does he know you’re here?”

“I thought I’d surprise him. Did he take the key out of the plant outside? I couldn’t find it.”

“Yeah, it’s on the counter.”

Tara’s gaze goes to my feet, and I realize I’m still standing here in front of Tanner’s sister in a bikini. “Looks like I succeeded in the surprise part. Cute shoes.”

“Oh, right.” I lean over and slip out of the pink stilettos and hold them in front of me, hoping they’ll shield me from my embarrassment. “You know how it is, have to break them in before you wear them out or they pinch your feet. I’m going to get dressed and let you two get settled.”

I walk into Tanner’s room with my heart pounding in my chest. Holy fuck. I grab the first article of clothing I find, one of Tanner’s gray T-shirts and pull it on along with cutoff shorts. I go for my phone to text Tanner but realize I must have left it in the other room.

“Corinne, you can have my room, I’ll take the guest room,” Tara says, and I hear footsteps start toward the den of sex.

Oh fuckity fuck fuck.

“Wait!” I call, rushing across the hall just as she steps into the room. Between the condom wrappers and candles and the distinct smell of sex hanging in the air, there’s no mistaking what’s gone down in here.

“Oh, this is your room?”

“Yeah, I’m sorry. It’s a mess. I would have cleaned it already if I knew you were coming. Tanner and I didn’t talk about sleeping arrangements when you and your friends got here. Why don’t you leave your stuff in the hallway and I’ll clean up and move the rest of my stuff to Tanner’s room?”

“Oh no, I insist.” She backs away like it’s a crime scene. “You should stay in here. Corinne and I can share a room.”

I’m too mortified to argue or come up with any response except to nod. I can’t really blame her for not wanting to stay in here after seeing it in its current state.

When Tanner finally gets back, I’m beyond relieved. He sets the takeout on the counter and then goes to Tara with his arms open. “What are you doing here? I thought you were coming next week?”