Page 99 of Let's Kiss and Tell

“Why not?”

“Because it makes it hard to focus. It’s been like two hours and I’m still suffering the effects,” I say, and Marsh lets out a laugh. “Stop, it’s not funny!” I swat his arm.

“Well, uh,” he glances around, assuring we have our privacy. “The more we do it, you might get used to it.”

I look up at him, and there’s a mischievous yet charming look in his eyes.

“You think?” I ask, picking up what he’s putting down.

“Oh yeah.” Marsh gives an assuring nod. “Positive.”

There’s that heat again deep in my belly, an ember that only catches whenever Marsh looks at me like he wants to be much closer than we are.

“You’re trouble.” I poke his chest, moving him back.

“How?” he asks defensively.

“We’re about to go to a child’s birthday party!” I stifle a laugh. “Behave.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he says, and we both get out of the car.

As we approach the front door that looks to be well over ten feet with glass panes on the side, I admire the quietness of where we are. There are tall trees surrounding us, and although it’s a warm day, the shade offers a refreshing coolness. I quickly fluff my hair and blow a breath to my palm, then smell.

“Do I look okay?” I whisper to Marsh.

“Always.”

Moments later, a woman with strawberry blond hair and an abundance of strikingly beautiful freckles opens the door. She’s wearing a white oversize linen dress that makes her look like she should be in a photoshoot in the countryside.

“Marsh!” The woman wraps her arms around Marsh in a way that feels so comfortable. “Lucy, it’s so nice to meet you!” She then wraps her arms around me, and I catch a whiff of a light flowery scent.

“You must be Quinn. It’s so nice to meet you!” I say. “Your home is gorgeous.”

We’re now standing inside a breathtaking home, filled with redwood throughout. Everything feels so concise, harmonious, and intentional. There are floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of only the forest that surrounds the exterior. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a home so unique.

“Thank you so much.” She looks around. “Ollie and I designed it back in 2020. It was our little pandemic baby…aside from ouractualpandemic baby.”

“Speaking of,” Marsh says, “where is the birthday girl?”

“Saaadiee!” Quinn calls out. “Sadie, guess who’s here!”

Suddenly, there are little yet loud footsteps running from down the hall.

“Uncle Marsh?!” A little girl appears at the end of the hall, heading straight for us.

“There she is!” Marsh lifts her up so high and so effortlessly. My heartstrings briefly twist at the sight of them. I then remember the story Marsh shared about the daughter he lost, but I don’t allow myself to dwell on it. “Happy birthday, Dee Dee!”

“It’s tomorrow,” Sadie laughs.

“Well, the great thing about having your birthday fall on a Sunday is that you get to accept birthday wishes on that Saturday,” he says. “Isn’t that right, Luce?”

“Those are the rules,” I agree.

“Hi.” Sadie waves at me. She’s wearing yellow denim overalls, and her hair is in two pigtails. “I’m Sadie.”

“Hello, Sadie, it’s so nice to meet you,” I say. “I’m Lucy.”

“There’s a girl in my class named Lucy,” Sadie says.