Page 32 of A Hexcellent Chance to Fall in Love

“Christina?” She sounds aghast, and she totally should be. If I hadn’t been so up in my feels, I definitely would’ve noticed.

“What? He’s handsome.” I try to defend myself.

“That’s not what I’m questioning.” But then she’s laughing, too, and I put my hand on her arm like it’s the most natural thing to do in this situation.

“We were taking bets on if you’d make it tonight.

” My sister Ashley comes up from behind me, and the mood quickly shifts.

The light airy feeling I was just having with Pepper has evaporated quicker than water in a hot frying pan, and in its place the tension has returned. I take a big sip of my drink.

“Very funny,” I say. “Why wouldn’t I be here?

” But even as I say those words, the hundreds of excuses I had not to be here race through my mind.

Except at the end of the day, I didn’t use any of them.

Even with all the dread—and the worst-case scenarios I came up with—I made it.

Considering not coming in my mind isn’t the same as not showing up at all.

“I’m Christina’s sister Ashley.” She thrusts a hand at Pepper.

“This is my friend Pepper,” I quickly say, but immediately regret it.

Is “friend” the right way to introduce her?

What would she have said if I had just kept my mouth closed?

If only Ashley wasn’t so passive-aggressive to subtly tell me I’m rude for not introducing her myself—forget that she didn’t really give me any time.

“It’s so nice to meet you,” Pepper says, not commenting on my use of the word “friend.”

Ashley hugs the elbow of the arm she’s holding her champagne in with her free hand. “As in salt-and-pepper?” Her gaze runs up and down Pepper, like she’s trying to figure her out—or figure out what she’s doing with me.

“One and the same.” If Pepper is offended by Ashley’s comment, she doesn’t show it.

“When I was born, my dad said my hair was as dark as pepper, and that was all it took.” She takes a casual sip of her drink—which is most likely sangria since there’s fruit floating in her wineglass—seemingly not impressed by my sister at all.

Honestly, it’s the perfect way to deal with Ashley.

“Cute,” Ashley says. Maybe she’s where I get my inability to communicate with other human beings, because she’s terrible at it.

I’m not sure how I never really noticed it before.

Whether Pepper is a friend or something more, Ashley should be making her feel welcome, not being so snotty.

Why is Ashley like this? “So how do you know my sister?” she asks.

“Christina and I met at the Halloween store.”

“Oh, that’s right, you have that little event or whatever.” Ashley waves a hand in my direction, and I clench my teeth.

“The haunted house isn’t just a little event. It helps fund all the arts programs at the school and brings in tourists to the community,” I say.

“Plus, it’s a wonderful creative outlet for teens,” Pepper chimes in. “They get to be a hundred percent in control of their performance. No scripts. No expectations. It’s really empowering for them.”

I hadn’t thought of it like that, but I’m not about to admit that here in front of my sister.

“I’m sure. And that’s great for them”—Ashley gestures toward me with her glass—“but did my sister tell you she was set to be vice president at her last job?”

I hadn’t, in fact, told anyone in Clover Creek about that part of my life.

Because it didn’t matter. I hated that job.

No amount of money could’ve made me want to stay there.

I loved watching things I designed be built—but I also love doing the building.

And I couldn’t stand the blatant misogyny in the office—it was so toxic.

To hell with the patriarchy of corporate culture.

“And now she could be teaching the next vice president,” Pepper says like it’s the most obvious thing—the most important thing there could be.

“Of the United States.” Ashley chuckles. “Or even president.” She laughs harder.

“I don’t get it,” Pepper says without missing a beat.

Ashley glances from me to Pepper. “It was a joke.”

“Yes, I assumed that from the laughing, but I was hoping you could explain the joke.” Pepper casually sips her drink, a look of true interest in her eyes.

The brief look on Ashley’s face is priceless—like she’s bitten into a sour kumquat. “Well, anyway. I hope you remembered to bring a gift,” Ashley says, ignoring Pepper’s request completely.

“Of course we did,” I tell her.

Ashley raises her brows in surprise. “You brought a gift, too? That’s really kind of you.” Why is she acting so shocked? She doesn’t even know Pepper. My cheeks start to heat up for a completely different reason than they usually do. I’m not even sure why I’m feeling so protective.

“Of course I did. It’s an engagement party.

” Pepper’s tone is perfect—calm with a touch of “Isn’t it obvious?

”—and it hits Ashley right where it hurts.

She squints her eyes at Pepper like she’s trying to murder her with one look.

Pepper seems completely unimpressed by Ashley’s antics.

And as much fun as it is seeing Ashley squirm, I throw her a bone, so she doesn’t start an argument.

“Where are the kids?” My niece and nephew are the cutest and, per the family group chats, are already geared up to be the ring bearer and the flower girl, so I assume they’ll be here. Plus, seeing them would be preferable to hanging out with my sister.

“Avery has an ear infection, and Lincoln wasn’t coming without his sister.” She rolls her eyes like this is the most exhausting thing—she should try hanging out with twenty-plus teens at one time. “Which is fine. He’d be miserable as the only kid here anyway. So I got a sitter.”

“I hope she’s okay.”

“She’s fine. She’s just milking it.” Ashley waves her hand again, this time brushing away the comment. “I hope you have your speech ready, because Mom is freaking out.” She gestures with her eyes across the room to where my parents are standing.

I shake my head. “I thought I’d just wing it,” I say, and Ashley’s eyes nearly pop out of her head. “Yes, I have my speech.” I tap my purse. She really needs to learn how to lighten up.

“I thought this thing was supposed to start by now.” She pulls out her phone and checks the time. It’s 7:15 p.m.

“I’m sure it’ll start any minute. There are a lot of people here,” I say.

“And Antonio’s parents paid a lot of money for this, so the least the venue could do is be prepared,” Ashley continues.

I bite my tongue. Arguing won’t do any good. “Do you know what we’re eating?” I ask to change the subject.

“It’s an Italian restaurant, so pasta, I assume.” Ashley crosses her arms.

I exchange a glance with Pepper, whose eyes are screaming Is this girl for real ? Instead of laughing, I take a sip of my drink. Explaining to my sister that I’m not the idiot she assumes I am is pointless. You’d think from her mood, she was the one who was getting married.

“I hope this isn’t too much for you. Since you’re the last one in the family who’s still single,” Ashley says.

Here for twenty minutes and already twice I’ve been reminded of this sentiment, first with Aunt JoJo trying to set me up and now this. I gesture toward Pepper. “It’s not like I’m here alone.”

“I thought you said she was your friend.” The look on Ashley’s face is a mixture of condescension and annoyance. If I’m not the only single sister anymore, that’s one less thing she can hang over my head.

Pepper slips her hand into mine. “Of course, we’re friends, too.” Then she leans in and presses a kiss to my cheek. “You’re friends with your partner, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” Her head pivots around. “I should go find him.” And without saying another word, Ashley walks away.

“Oh my god, you were brilliant,” I tell Pepper.

“She’s awful. I know she’s your sister and all, but come on.”

I take another sip of my water. “She’s exhausting.”

Pepper holds her wineglass out to me, and I graciously take a swig—yep, sangria, and it’s delicious. “I have one at the table for you.”

“Titi!” Emily rushes up and wraps me in a giant hug.

“I’m so glad you made it. And this must be Pepper.

Thanks so much for coming.” Emily, being Emily, wraps Pepper in a hug, too; and Pepper, being Pepper, doesn’t seem to mind, embracing her back with just as much ferocity like they’re long-lost friends.

She’s good at this—at people—in a way I probably never will be.

I really should ask her how she does it—how she seems to know people she’s never met before.

She has a sixth sense or something for sure.

“Thanks for having me. It’s so nice to meet you, too, and congratulations,” Pepper says.

“Have you seen Mom and Dad?” Emily asks.

“Did someone call my name?” Mom says.

“Did you just get here?” Dad asks.

I glance at Pepper, who doesn’t seem fazed at all even though she’s basically being accosted by my entire family at the same time.

“I’ve been making my rounds,” I say, and then I quickly introduce them to Pepper.

This time I say she is my date instead of my “friend,” and Mom’s eyes immediately get glossy and her smile is enormous.

“It’s so wonderful to meet you.” Mom steps in and gives Pepper a hug. “I didn’t know you’d be bringing anyone with you tonight,” she says to me.

“It’s not a big deal,” I say, but that’s a lie. It’s a very big deal to my parents. They’ve always wanted me to settle down and find my person, especially these last few years—so even if this thing with Pepper is new, it gives Mom hope.

“I’m sure I mentioned it,” Emily says, but the look she gives tells me that she didn’t actually say a word about it. She’s the best sister.

Tink. Tink. Tink. Tink.

Someone taps their silverware against their glass. “If I could have your attention,” Antonio says. “If everyone could take a seat, they’re ready to start serving dinner.”

“We’ll catch up after,” Emily says. “Oh, and I love your shoes.” She quickly squeezes my arm and then rushes off toward her fiancé. The comment makes me smile. Of course she would notice.

“Oh no. Where are you sitting?” Mom asks.

“We have a spot over there.” Pepper points to a place behind her.

“Maybe we could shift—”

“It’s fine, Mom,” I tell her before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. “We will catch up later.”

“Well, we’ll want to learn more about you after dinner,” she says to Pepper. “So no running off,” she says to me, then she hooks her arm with Dad’s and they head to wherever they’re sitting.

“This way.” Pepper squeezes my elbow and tugs me in the opposite direction.

I’m not sure how she did it, but she saved us the perfect seats.

A couple of Emily’s friends and their dates along with two of my cousins are already seated at the table.

Mom and Dad are near Emily and Antonio, his parents are toward the front of the room, and Ashley and her husband, Luke, are on the exact opposite side from us.

“Thanks again for coming with me,” I whisper to Pepper when we sit down.

“I got you.” She reaches under the table and interlaces our fingers together; the warmth of her hand penetrates through my dress into my thigh and races up my leg to my center.

My heart stutters—those three words seemingly hold more weight than ever before.

And I do feel safe. I do feel like she’s got me.

Our eyes lock, and I chew on the inside of my lip to stop myself from leaning over and kissing her with everything I have right now.

I honestly don’t know what I’d do without her.