Page 116 of Vicious Little Snakes

Liam:I want my kisses in person, Carebear.

Liam

My mom pushes the door open to my room, walking inside, eyeing me adjusting the collar of my crisp white dress shirt.

“You look handsome. I can’t remember the last time I saw you in a suit. It’s been all tuxedos lately.”

I grin. “Yeah, but it’s nice to not have to wear those penguin suits. You can blame the celebrity crowd for the party being less highbrow tonight.”

She brushes her hands over my arms. “Celebrities. Gah, they’re the worst,” she jokes as a smile peeks out. “So. Who’s the lucky lady?”

“Who says there’s a girl?” I tease, reaching over to grab my jacket off the valet stand. “Maybe I just like to look nice, Mom. Geez, can’t a guy dress for himself—why does it have to be all about the girls?” She’s staring at me, rolling her eyes as I grin. “When am I enough?”

She smacks my arm and laughs.

“You’re ridiculous. And the fact that you showered gave it away.”

She helps me put on my jacket and stares at me through the mirror.

“I’m happy to see you so happy, Liam. It’s a nice change from—”

I nod, looping the buttons through the maroon blazer. “Yeah, I know. I think I’m starting to find my footing. How’s the other Brooks doing?”

“Sulking. Regretful. Stubborn. But let’s not talk about your father. I want to hear more about Caroline.”

My head jerks to the side to stare at Babe, mouth hanging open.

“What?” she says casually.

“What? Oh, you are sneaky. How’d you find out I was taking Caroline tonight? Do I have any secrets, or is my life a lie?”

My mother walks back toward the door, picking up a box she’d placed on a table next to a chair in my room. Her smile is far from hidden as she walks back, handing it to a confused me. It’s a small square box, reminiscent of the size a cookie would come in.

Oooh, food. I’m starved.

I lift the lid peering inside to see a single white rose. It’s for my lapel. My shoulders shake as I begin to put it all together.

“This came with it,” my mother says, handing me a small white envelope that simply says,xx Caroline,on the front.

I stare at the note, giving my head a shake, and shove it into my jacket pocket. But my mother scowls at me. She’s so nosey. It makes me laugh harder as she takes the box from me, opening it and pulling the flower to stick to my jacket.

“If a girl goes to all this trouble, you should read it, Liam.”

I turn to look at myself once she’s pinned it, countering, “Not in front of you.”

My mother’s eyes grow wide as I walk past her to gather my wallet and phone from the bureau.

“So she’s that kind of girl, huh?”

She’s teasing. She knows exactly who Caroline is, but I play along for fun.

“I hope so.”

Her gasp is priceless, and the “Liam!” that follows makes me howl with laughter.

Babe points her finger at me. “Be good tonight and be a gentleman.”

“I wouldn’t be anything less for my Carebear.”