“Lainie, if you don’t stop shouting you’re going to make all the neighborhood dogs bark.” And maybe wake J. T., but she didn’t say that. “What are you talking about? We’re on TMZ? How did we get on TMZ?”
“Go look.”
“I believe you. I will in a second.”
Her mind was now whirling, and it was way too early for her mind to be whirling.
How the hell would anyone get pictures of them?
“How on earth did you wind up with John Tennessee McCord, Britt?”
“I won him over with a fart joke.”
“SHUT. UP.”
Britt laughed. Pretty much the only thing better than J. T. was sharing the news of him with her sister.
“I totally remember that bikini you’re wearing in that picture. You got it on sale that day we went to T.J. Maxx around March a few years ago. You look really pretty, Britt. And that white dress issupercute.”
“Thanks. I got it on saleplusI had a coupon, plus I got to use someone else’s discount!”
“Score! But how did thishappen?”
“Okay, the CliffsNotes version is that he’s in Hellcat Canyon for work. Speaking of which, I have to get to work, Laine. I’ll tell you the rest later. Oh, and don’t tell Mom and Dad! Not yet!”
“You andJohnTennessee McCord.” Britt had broken her sister, apparently, and now all she could say were those three words and variations thereof.
“Told you it was nice up here.”
Her sister laughed dizzily. But it was clear from her expression that she had a thousand suppressed questions.
Britt showed mercy. “All right. You get one more question.”
“Okay, but it’s an essay question. And it’s this: What is he like?” Her sister had deferred to her wishes and was speaking on a hush now.
Britt hesitated for effect. She crooked her finger for her sister to get closer to the screen.
And then she leaned toward the screen and stage-whispered.
“Sohot.”
Lainie froze again.
And then she made a little whimpering sound.
And then she leaned back blew out a long, satisfied breath. “You always were an overachiever. Way to get back on the horse, Britt.” She sounded awed.
“Jeez, Lainie, he’s not a horse.”
“You sure about that?” J. T. said from the doorway behind her.
Lainie froze again. Her head whipped to and fro on the screen.
“OH MY GOD,” she whispered hoarsely. “Who was that? Is thathim? There? Is he there right now?”
Britt hesitated.
Then she nodded smugly.