Page 40 of Dangerous Kiss

Chapter Sixteen

They filmed until lunchtime. Rich and Gunter had set up a barbecue in the grounds—greasy, smoky, saucy—Biba loved it. She felt a little overwhelmed by all the attention and wasn’t quite sure how to process the affection these people had for her.

She took a moment alone to decompress and called Reggie.

“Hey, birthday girl.”

Biba relaxed. “Hey, Boo. How’s your mom?”

“She’s okay, a bit sniffy and moaning like a be-otch about it.”

“I heard that,” came a voice in the background, and both Biba and Reggie laughed.

“Mom says happy birthday, too, and thank for the care package. Jesus, so much sugar, Beebs, are you trying to make my mom diabetic? There’s fifteen packs of Red Vines.”

Biba grinned. “She likes them.”

“Good grief. Are you being spoiled today?”

“So much…Cos told me you organized most of it, so thank you.”

“Nah, it was teamwork. Enjoy it, boo.”

Biba chuckled, but Reggie must have picked up on something in her tone. “What is it, Beebs?”

Biba swallowed a lump in her throat. “I’ve just…it’s like having a family again.”

Reggie’s voice softened. “We love you, silly girl.Of coursewe’re your family. Listen, I’ve got a gift for you, but I don’t think I’ll be home tomorrow. Probably Tuesday or something.”

“Dude, don’t worry about it. I miss you, but your mom is more important. Tell her I love her, won’t you?”

“I will. Happy birthday, darling.”