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“Well, my underwear problem just got solved.” I pull the lingerie set from the box. A panties and bra set in a soft lavender. It's delicate and feminine, without trying too hard to be sexy.

“Open mine.”

River rips through the paper and opens the box.

“You didn’t.”

I smile at her.

“I know how much you loved it.”

“Yes, but we’d agreed it was way too much money for a scarf and I was going to wait for a sale,” River says as she wraps the purple silk scarf around her neck.

It's made and hand-painted by a local artist, and each is a unique piece of wearable art. This one has various shades of purple, violet, and deep blue. The colors blend in such a way that it’s like looking at one of those pictures of a nebula in space. Some people frame them. They’re that beautiful. Purple is River’s favorite color, and she almost cried when she saw the price tag on the scarf a few days ago when we first saw it. We both knew it would never go on sale and would most likely be sold within hours. River got a phone call and stepped out of the store to talk, and I bought it without her knowing.

“The color goes perfectly with your eyes and hair. And don’t worry about the cost. I found a great coupon,” I lie.

She knows I’m lying, but she doesn’t call me on it. That’s what grateful sisters do.

“Thank you, Skye.”

She hugs me.

“Now open the other box.”

I start to rip the paper off the rectangular box when I catch the look on her face.

“River?”

She’s full-on smiling now. A very devious smile.

No, she wouldn’t. Would she?

I pull the wrapping paper away from the box and—she did. Yes, she did. I am now the owner of a Rabbit—a pink one. “River!”

She falls back on my bed laughing.

“I told you I’d get you one. If Logan doesn’t cut it, you’ve got a friend to help you out.”

“River, I can’t even—”

“Or better yet, just bring it on your date tomorrow. Double the fun!”

“What? No—just no. There’s no way I’d bring this on a date or even suggest it.”

I open the drawer on my nightstand and put it inside.

“And don’t even think about saying anything to Logan about it.”

“Ah, c’mon, Sis! It's just between you and me. I won’t tell a soul. Unless I forget and it slips out.”

“I’m not feeling a whole lot of confidence in you right now.”

“Come on. I’m hungry. Let's get something to eat and talk date strategy.”

Chapter Eight

I’mat her door at ten. I don’t think I’ve ever had a date that started in the morning, but what I’ve planned requires daylight.