Page 4 of The Secret Crush Book Club (Peach Blossom #3)

Three

“T ime differences are going to be the death of me, I swear,” Dani muttered as she waited for her sister Vini’s face to appear on the screen. She had missed the timing yesterday, but she was determined to get it right today.

Vini and her girlfriend, Jessica, had only been in Korea to visit Jessica’s family for a few days so far, but the pictures Vini had sent already had Dani wishing she had the time off to follow them over there.

The only international destinations she had ever been to were drivable—granted, Toronto would have been a daunting trek.

Still, she hadn’t ever set foot off the continent, and she was itching to find the time to do so.

When the call finally connected and Vini’s face appeared on the screen, Dani couldn’t help but feel relieved.

She didn’t doubt Jessica was taking excellent care of Vini, but it still soothed the big-sister part of Dani that Vini’s wide smile meant she was having a great time.

After years of practically being joined at the hip, she figured she could be forgiven for being a bit overprotective.

She didn’t show that side like their sister Ava did by being overprotective, sometimes to the point of overstepping boundaries, but it was there all the same.

“It’s about time you answered,” Dani said, covering her excitement with a smart-ass remark. It wouldn’t do to seem soft right off the bat. That would only worry Vini, and as much as Dani missed her, she was happy she was finally getting out there and acting her age.

Vini’s smile was radiant. “Oh, I’m sorry. Were you missing me?”

Dani rolled her eyes but didn’t deny it. “Of course I missed you,” she admitted. “Now who will I take my car to for an oil change?”

Vini’s laughter made Dani’s chest warm, and she switched the phone to her other hand as she relaxed back on the sofa.

Vini shook her head, eyes crinkling at the sides with her grin.

“You won’t need an oil change for at least another three thousand miles.

What are you planning on doing? Driving to Miami or something? ”

“You never know.”

“Don’t make me have to call Jordan on you,” Vini joked.

Dani rolled her eyes again. “I am a grown-ass woman who can do what she grown ass pleases.”

Vini snorted. “Sure. Keep telling yourself that. How are things going there?”

“Things are totally fine. Nothing new to report,” Dani replied, almost sighing at how true that was.

She enjoyed small-town living, and she couldn’t see herself living anywhere but Peach Blossom really.

But sometimes things were a little too quiet—a little too slow, leaving her feeling restless with the itch to go somewhere, anywhere just to see something unfamiliar.

“Though, I’m kind of hoping you convince Jessica to move to Peach Blossom and open up a Korean restaurant.

The food pictures you keep sending are making me hungry.

I’m tempted to go up to Atlanta just for BBQ.

I’ve never driven that far just for some damn meat before in my life. ”

Vini gagged, making Dani laugh. “That’s not what I want to hear from you.”

“So, you want to hear how far I did drive for meat?”

“No,” Vini exclaimed. Dani heard giggling in the background, and she figured it was Jessica. “I don’t want to hear anything about you and meat, or meat in general. When did you get so vulgar?”

“Birth,” Dani replied simply. “I’m glad you’re having a great time though. What are your plans for today?”

Vini’s enthusiasm kept Dani’s spirits high.

She really was happy for her sister, but it just left her feeling a strange sense of jealousy, especially when Jessica finally popped in the frame and gave Vini a kiss on her forehead.

The two of them looked so cozy that Dani almost felt guilty about her jealousy.

She knew it was natural to sometimes feel this way, but damn if it didn’t smart.

“How’s Aiden doing?” Vini asked. “He hasn’t burnt down my shop yet, has he?”

Dani knew she was joking. Aiden was more than competent enough to run things while Vini was away. If he wasn’t, then she wouldn’t even have considered going. That shop was Vini’s baby.

“Was still standing when I drove by the other day. Next time, I’ll tell Ava to go check.”

Vini waved the suggestion away. “Nah, she’s probably too busy with Grace.

Just drive by again when you can. I’m sure it’ll all be fine, but it feels weird to not be there, you know?

” Dani wasn’t sure how to respond to that.

She didn’t own her own business, so she didn’t feel any anxiety about leaving the office.

Dani was a little annoyed though. Why would Vini think Ava was too busy, but Dani wasn’t? Just because she didn’t have a girlfriend to gallivant all over town with didn’t mean she didn’t have other things to do. Important things. Things that might take up her time. She did have a child after all.

Vini looked away for a moment before turning back to the phone. “I have to go, sis. We’re packing to go catch our train down to Busan. Jessica’s cousin lives there and is eager to meet me. He apparently collects vintage cars and wants to hang out.”

Dani chuckled. “Figures you would go halfway around the world and still be talking shop. Watch out for any zombies. Give Jessica my love and keep sending me those food pictures.”

Vini saluted with a smile. “You got it, sis.”

“I’ll take good care of her, D. Promise,” Jessica called out from somewhere near Vini.

When they hung up, Dani sat there for a moment, looking at the phone.

Her smile slowly waned but she quickly schooled her face into a mask of indifference when she heard the front door open, and Ava call out a greeting.

“I’m in the living room.”

Ava hustled in and when she saw the phone in Dani’s hand, she gestured toward it. “Damn it. Did I miss Vini?”

Dani nodded. “Yeah. It was a really quick call since they were about to head out of town. We could try calling her back?”

Ava shook her head. “I have to change and head out to meet Grace over at Terry’s. We joined that new bowling league he started, and the first practice is today. I’ll give Vini a quick call later.”

“Sounds good. Do you want to go see a movie or something after your bowling practice?”

“I wish I could, but Grace and I are headed up to Atlanta to catch a show. Rain check for when we get back?”

Dani nodded, pasting a smile on her face. “Sounds good. You guys drive carefully and let me know when you get there.”

Ava nodded before rushing up the stairs.

Dani watched her go and then sighed. It seemed like it would be another quiet weekend for her and whichever streaming service caught her attention first, unless Jordan wanted to get out and about.

As if he heard his name in her mind, there was a rumble on the stairs before Jordan came skidding into view.

“Where’s the fire, kid?” Dani asked, laughing when he nearly slipped. “Also, what did I tell you about running with only socks on in the house? If you fall and bust your behind, we’re not going to the hospital. Just because we have health insurance doesn’t mean I’m trying to use it.”

Jordan flailed a little, shaking his head at her words. “I’m not running. I’m just walking quickly.” Dani hummed, unconvinced, as he continued. “I wanted to see if I could have a sleepover at Nick’s. His mom said it was okay.”

Dani frowned. “I didn’t get a message from her.” No sooner had the words left her mouth then her phone dinged. She looked down and saw Nick’s mother’s name flash on the screen. “Never mind.”

“So, can I go?” Jordan sounded so eager. It made sense. Nick was his best friend and had been since they were practically in diapers. His mom, Denise, was from Peach Blossom and though they were a few years apart, she and Dani had gone to the same high school.

Dani narrowed her eyes. “Did you finish all your homework?”

Jordan nodded so fast he looked like one of those bobbleheads people used to have in their cars. “I even cleaned my room.”

That had Dani raising her eyebrows. “Wow. You must really want to go to this sleepover. What’s so special about it that you plan on abandoning your dear mother for the night?”

He bounced up and down, nearly making Dani nauseous.

She could tell he was excited and as much as it pained her, it brought a smile to her face.

Jordan had been so quiet right after she and his father, Jacob, had split a few years ago.

Maybe she had been bending a little too much one way to make up for it, but Jordan was a good kid, and he never made her regret it.

“I’m not abandoning you,” he said rolling his eyes. “But Nick just got this new game that we’ve all been waiting for so we can get on it and game together. So, can I go? Please?”

He clasped his hands together and gave her a wide smile. Even if she wanted to say no, she wouldn’t have been able to resist that face. She was a sucker, and they all knew it. “Fine. Go pack your bag.”

“Already done.” Jordan scrambled around the couch and pulled out a duffel bag that was clearly ready to go. Dani snorted and shook her head. Clearly, Jordan already knew what she was going to say. Asking was merely a formality. Ava came thumping down the steps then and Dani called out to her.

“Hey, sis. You mind dropping Jordan off at Nick’s? Apparently, they’re having a boys’ night, and I’m not invited.”

Ava laughed before gesturing to Jordan. “Yeah. I’ll open the door and let him roll out on my way to Grace’s. Let’s go, kid.”

Five minutes later and Dani once again found herself alone. This was quickly becoming a habit, and one she wasn’t sure she liked. Still, there wasn’t much she could do outside of finding her own hobby. Right then, she remembered Zoey’s offer.

The book club.

They only met once a week, but once was better than not at all.

At least it would get Dani off the couch and around some people again.

She might even find some new favorite authors out of the deal.

At least she wouldn’t be sitting at home bored.

Before she could second-guess herself, she reached for her cell.

She had already saved Zoey’s number and she brought it up and hit Call.

Waiting for the other woman to pick up was the longest ten seconds of Dani’s life.

Hopefully, the invitation wasn’t rescinded.

Dani didn’t know if they had a cap on the number of people that could join, or even who else had been invited, but when the call connected and she heard Zoey’s sweet voice on the other end of the line, it didn’t matter.

“Hey, Zoey. It’s Dani. So, about the book club…”