That Day by Karen Deen (best novels to read in english txt) 📕

no way Kurt will want to know anything about his sister if he thinks we’re talking about a vibrator.”

I can’t help myself. I’m on the ground on my knees laughing so much. Trying to talk, I gasp out, “Perfect. So… fucking… perfect. I can’t wait for the first time he asks, and the penny drops. Bitch, you better make sure I’m here for this.”

Sliding down the cupboards, Jodie is now on the ground with me, and Coco lies down between us.

“That’ll teach him for being so nosy.”

High-fiving each other, that’s where we stay, pulling the ice cream out of the bag from her mom and sharing, one spoonful at a time.

Kurt has no idea how much he has brought to my life. Besides his hotness, he has given me the perfect gift.

The one thing I craved.

Family and friends.

And I refuse to think about the deadline that’s looming that will take them all away again.

Chapter Fifteen

ASHA

Hearing the back sliding door open and footsteps coming from behind us, I know it’s Kurt, the way Coco has jumped up and with her tail wagging is scampering around the kitchen counter.

Jodie and I take one look at each other, our hands over our mouths trying not to giggle.

“Hey, girl, what the hell happened in here? Looks like Walmart exploded on my counter. Where is she?” Coco comes straight back to us, barking like she did a good job leading the way.

“Traitor,” I say to Coco, with Jodie next to me taking her last mouthful of the cider we moved onto after the ice cream.

Kurt stands at the end of the kitchen island counter, hair still wet and his curls hanging onto his face, the ones I love running my fingers through. He’s still in his wetsuit that is hanging from his waist, and his abs are on show for me to admire, water droplets running down the dips between them. The hair on his chest glistens, still a little wet, and the scattering of hair just above the edge of his wetsuit is teasing me. I know he won’t have anything on under that wetsuit, and if Jodie weren’t sitting next to me right now, I’d be licking those abs all the way down into that V and wouldn’t stop there.

Trying to push myself up off the floor, it hits me how much I’ve had to drink. The room starts to spin a little and my legs are wobbly.

I sit myself back down really quickly, until I feel a little better.

“Ah, where was my invite to the party, ladies?” he asks, his smile golden.

“No boys allowed, this was all girls, ice cream, and alcohol,” Jodie says as she stands herself up slowly.

“So, I can see. Come here, Asha.” He holds out his hands for me to take. To be honest, I’m glad for the help up off the floor which has made my ass numb. “I think I need to feed you girls to soak up some of the drinks you’ve polished off.”

“Pfft, no one needs to cook. Mom is baking, Dad dropped off the first batch earlier. It’s in the oven.” Jodie waving her hand in front of the oven door like it’s a magic wand looks ridiculous but funny at the same time.

“Let me guess, all this is Mom’s doing?” He’s looking at the explosion of food in bags spread across the counter.

“Yep, minus the ciders. Definitely my doing.” She points to herself, quite proud of it too.

“Best part of the package—oh, except the ice cream. That was good too,” I say, swaying a little and leaning into Kurt, my hands on those perfect ripples of abs.

“Damn, how many did you drink in the two hours I was in the surf?” He laughs, wrapping his arms around me.

“Too many,” I mumble.

“Not enough,” Jodie replies at the same time.

“Okay, this is what’s going to happen.” Kurt walks with me tucked next to him, his arm around my waist.

“I’m going to set you two over here on the couch with a glass of water, while I run upstairs and take a quick shower. Then I’m going to feed you before we even think about another drink tonight.”

“Party pooper. I’m not drunk, I’m just getting started,” Jodie protests as we both plonk our asses on the couch.

“Maybe so, but I have a feeling Asha hasn’t drunk alcohol for a while and she will be a lightweight compared to you, Sis. So, stop complaining and do as you are told for a change.”

Jodie crosses her arms, pretending to sulk.

“I’ve always been a lightweight,” I giggle, “nothing’s changed. This little body can’t handle much.”

“I beg to differ.” Kurt winks at me as he walks out of the room to go shower.

“Eww, no sex talk, you two. Not fair on the people in the room getting none.” Jodie’s protest is overshadowed by the booming voice of Seth. He now has the code to get into the house so never bothers knocking. I think Kurt did that deliberately, so he could get to me if I need help. Not that he’ll admit to that.

“Who’s getting none of what?” he asks as I hear Kurt chuckling from the top of the stairs.

“Good luck, buddy. Look after the drunk gigglers for me.”

“Great, drunk girls, right up my alley. Oh wait, except one is like a sister to me and the other is my best friend’s girl. Not quite the party I was thinking of. Now back to my original question, who’s getting none?”

“No one.”

“Jodie,” I blurt out at the same time as she tries to deny it. “Shit, was I supposed to keep that a secret?” I ask, slapping my hands over my mouth.

“Bitch, girl code.” Jodie smacks my arm as we both fall into each other laughing.

Seth shakes his head. “Well, join the club, woman! But if either of you repeat that, I will deny it!”

“Same here.” She points her finger at him to make her point known.

“This is going to be fun.” Seth walks into the kitchen, grabs