Rule #3 - The roses in the Infinity Gardens are strictly off limits. DO NOT PICK THE FLOWERS.
~*~
"I can't believe you're dating Ash Hunter!"
"I know, right? It kind of surprised me, too, but, well, um..."
"So how did it happen, though?"
"It's... it's kind of a long story, but you remember that day we were at the library studying together?"
"What? No way, Scarlet! Did he come up to you when you were leaving the library? That's crazy. I was just joking, by the way. I never said anything to him. He must have liked you, too."
Gossip gossip gossip. My sister, Dani, and her best friend, Scarlet, are chattering away in the kitchen. I'm trying to read here! Who even cares about Ash Hunter anyways? I mean, yes, he's cute, I guess. And Scarlet is pretty nice.
Dani, though...
I mean, she's my sister, so I don't hate her or anything. But when I'm trying to read, it always seems like she's somehow the loudest person in the world. Like, she somehow becomes even louder than usual? I don't know how. It's just...
"Can you two be a little quieter?" I ask from the living room, glaring at Dani sitting at the kitchen table.
"Ugh, sorry, Scarlet," Dani says, waving me off as she chats to her friend. "My sister just doesn't understand. Hooking up with Ash Hunter is kind of a big deal!"
"Who, um, what, hooking... up...?" Scarlet stammers.
Ohhhh, I get it now. That's what happened, isn't it? She and Ash had some sort of hookup, and now they're dating, and--
I don't mean to be rude, but it just kind of comes out. I blame Dani for being so loud.
"So are you pregnant, Scarlet?" I ask.
"Ugh! Evie, be quiet," Dani says, rolling her eyes at me. "Just because a guy takes an interest in someone doesn't mean it's because he knocked her up, you know?"
"I, um... well..." Scarlet starts to say, cheeks blushing bright red.
"Holy shit!" Dani practically screeches. "Wait, are you?"
And... I think my plan backfired. I didn't mean to call Scarlet out, but I was kind of hoping they'd both, oh, I don't know, go be quiet somewhere so I could read in peace? I much prefer the gossip of my book characters than the real life college drama my sister always wants to wrap herself up in.
I was getting to my favorite part. Chapter three! It's where the heroine meets the hero and she doesn't know it yet, but it's the beginning of their epic love story.
Plus there's a steamy scene building off their banter for chapter five. And... I'd definitely rather not have to listen to my sister chattering away for that one.
Anyways--
While Scarlet goes on with the big reveal that, yes, she's pregnant, and my sister starts talking a mile a minute, I hop off the battered recliner I was trying to read on, walk to the back door, peek into the yard for my other sister (seriously, I'm one of three, and... it's not fun sometimes, basically the worst), and when the coast is clear, I sneak into my father's workshop in the backyard for a little peace and quiet.
That's the plan, at least.
Nothing ever goes according to plan in the Belle household, though. Especially not today.