Page 64 of Kissing is the Easy Part

Flora leans in across the table. “Actually, I need more than that. Can you guys help keep an eye out? If you see any gate-crashers or someone sneaking in beer, shut it down. No alcohol. No drugs.”

“We can’t even bring our own booze?” Jake throws up his hands.

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it,” I say. Flora wasn’t even on board with this at first, but now she’s making sure it happens. For my sake. “These two can’t be trusted with anything.”

“You can’t do everything yourself. In times of need, this is what friends are for.” She gives the guys a pointed look. “It’s called teamwork.Collaboration.”

“We’re the kind of friends who laugh when he fails,” Dylan corrects her. “Not the ones who show up to his baby sister’s birthday wearing party hats.”

Flora exhales, pushing a hand through her hair. She starts to describe her winter theme and dessert table. Terrible idea. These guys won’t humor her like I do.

“Hmmm. The fairies and the enchanted forest sound fantastic, but you know what else is missing?” Jake pretends to chew on the idea, then lifts his head as if struck by an epiphany. “A unicorn.”

“And spin the bottle,” Dylan adds. “Oh, and a booth for painting toenails.”

“I love fortune tellers too,” Jake continues. “Please tell me you’re hiring one.”

“Guys, cut it out,” I say. Beside me, Flora’s smile is frozen, her jaw tight. She hates being mocked when she’s serious.

“Jake, I don’t need a fortune teller to predict where you’ll end up in five years,” she snaps. “You’ll be pumping gas for my Porsche.”

Jake clutches his chest, wincing. “Oof. Harsh. I thought we’d be flipping burgers side by side at Burger King.”

Dylan laughs.

“Hey, stop. It’s not funny,” I say, though it kind of is. “Flora’s only doing this because I begged her to.”

Dylan shakes his head. “Dude, that’s what you get for asking a girl to throw your party. Just buy some pizzas, order a few kegs, and you’re all set.”

“Oh, totally. And while we’re at it, let’s toss in a sticky beer pong table and a broken speaker. That’ll really elevate the vibe.” Flora sighs. “I need everyone to do their job. Madison’s handling the Polaroid booth, Carmen’s running the mocktail bar, and—”

“Wait, there’s a mocktail bar?” Jake interrupts. “Tell me it has one of those fancy bartender flippy bottles.”

Flora glares. “No, but it does have edible glitter, which you’re banned from touching.”

“The no-alcohol part was my idea,” I say. “It’s not cool, and you don’t have to come if you don’t want to, but Flora’s put a lot of effort into this. Give her a break.”

Dylan gasps in feigned hurt. “Are we being uninvited?” He turns to Flora and smirks. “Sean gets real pissed when we pick on the girl he likes.”

“We don’t pick on people,” I say flatly. “Is it necessary? Is it kind? No. Don’t forget to bring your own unicorn.”

“Sure, Seany.” Dylan’s eyebrows waggle, and Flora’s eyes are on me. I pick up my milk carton and take my time drinking. Kindergarten teachers must be exhausted, if this is what they deal with. No wonder they get summers off.

“We were messing with you, Flora. You know that, right?” Jake grins, shoving a handful of fries into his mouth. “Of course we’ll be there.”

“We’ll keep an eye out like you asked,” Dylan says. “And if you need anything else, say the word.”

Flora’s face brightens instantly. “Thanks, guys! I knew if I dug deep enough, under all that false pretense there are hearts of gold.”

“Right. After all these years of digging, I haven’t found anything,” I say. “But I have gotten myself really filthy in the process.”

They all laugh.

Jake leans back. “Why are you so uptight about drugs and alcohol? You’ve played drinking games with us before.”

“Because the party is at my house. For my fifteen-year-old sister. If something goes wrong, it’s on my parents, not just me. I’m not putting them in that position.”

Jake shakes his head, grinning. “Such a good boy. Always soproper.”