Page 128 of Vain

“How do you always know when I need you?”

“It’s my spider senses.”

I smile and look up at him. “I love you so much and can’t wait to become Mrs. Matilda Church.”

“Woman, you cannot say that shit when there is no broom closet around here for me to fuck you in.”

I laugh all the way back to my seat.

Eighteen hours later, we walk into our home on top of Lavender Hill to find our front room all set up for a sleepover. Little tents and a dozen mattresses have been set up. Pillows, blankets, and cushions cover every square inch of the floor. Someone has even rigged up a movie projector.

“What’s all this?” I ask, catching everyone’s attention. I squeal as everyone charges me at once, offering me hugs and congratulations.

Eventually, Zoe manages to squeeze her way through. “Now you can have your first sleepover. You like it?”

“I love it, and it’s just what I needed. So who did you invite?” I ask. It looks as though half the town is here.

“Nan and grandad,” she points to Kelly and Mark at the back of the room. “Wade, Olivia, and Mia. I asked Tom and June, but they have a date tonight. Oh, and all of the calendar boys, of course.”

“Callie!” Blake yells.

“What did I do now?”

“Why is Zoe calling us the calendar boys?”

“Did she? Huh? How strange. Who needs a drink?”

I laugh, shaking my head. “You did good, baby.”

“I just thought about the people that matter the most, you know. Our family.” She smiles brightly before throwing herself into Aiden’s arms as he sidesteps me.

I look around the room at all the people willing to camp out at a moment’s notice just for Zoe and feel myself getting choked up again. Dammit

“Yeah, family. I have an idea. Why don’t you and Mia pick a recipe from one of Marley’s books and we’ll make something for everyone to eat.”

“Yeah!”

“Ooh, and me. I wanna come.” Kellen jumps up. “Can we make banoffles?”

I look at Zoe who nods excitedly.

“Banoffles it is.”