Page 3 of Paradise & Vodka

"See you soon."

I gave Douglas the address, and within five minutes, we were parked in front of Everleigh's two-bedroom cottage-style house. Everleigh was still doing pageants. Her dream was to win Miss America and Miss USA followed by Miss Universe. When she wasn't competing, Everleigh worked as a receptionist for the lone doctor in town.

"This is nice, Ash. What were you so worried about?" Douglas asked, looking at the quaint home.

"Yeah, my sister has done well for herself."

"But it's your parents you're afraid I won't like?"

"They're very backroad, if that makes any sense."

"Like missing teeth and shit?"

"No." I snorted. "Well, maybe one or two."

He reached over and squeezed my knee. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine. I promise."

I nodded. "Okay. Let's grab our things."

Douglas grabbed our bags from the trunk, and we walked up the pathway to the front door. Before I could knock, the door swung open, and two arms embraced me, pulling me against Everleigh's tiny frame.

"I've missed you," she said into my dark brown hair that fell just past my shoulders.

"You saw me less than a month ago for Thanksgiving," I reminded her.

"So? I can still miss my sister."

I smiled warmly at her as I pulled back. "And I've missed you too." Her dark gaze moved to look over my shoulder, and I turned, reaching my hand out for Douglas. "And this is my boyfriend, Douglas."

They shook, and to my surprise, Douglas kissed the back of her hand. "It's nice to meet you, Everleigh."

She blushed and batted her long lashes. "You too. Ashleigh has told me so much about you."

"All good things, I hope." He snickered.

"For the most part," I sassed.

"Well, come on in." Everleigh waved us in, and we walked inside. "I'm sure this is nothing like your apartment in New York," she stated. Douglas's Manhattan apartment was modern with hardwood floors, an updated kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. He had leather couches, and his mother paid some fancy interior designer to furnish the décor that looked like something out of a magazine instead of at Walmart.

"No, but it is nice. Very cozy," Douglas replied.

"Is cozy good?" she asked with a slight chuckle and looked at me. I lifted a shoulder.

"Cozy is good," he confirmed.

"Well, thank you, then." She beamed.

"We'll just put our stuff in your spare room," I stated and started down the hallway. It was the first door on the right. The room was small, but big enough for a full-sized bed and a single nightstand. "I know the bed is small—"

"Ash," he said with a sigh, "it's fine."

"Okay." I nodded.

He set the bags down and cupped my cheek. "A small bed just means we get to snuggle."

I smiled up at him and agreed, "Yeah."

We didn't stay long at my sister's because we didn't want to be late for dinner.