Fifteen
Haley double-checked to make sure they had all the makings for ice cream sundaes and banana splits. It was the first time Jensyn got to have a slumber party. It was long overdue, and Haley wanted to make it a ton of fun for her and her two friends
The doorbell rang, buzzing near the end. One more thing in need of repair.
She stuck her head down the hall toward the bedrooms. “Hey, Jensyn! Your friends are here.”
Jensyn bounced down the hall with a mischievous grin.
Haley’s stomach flip-flopped. “What’d you do? I said no boys.”
“Ha. That’s not it. This one’s for you. I thought you could use some girl time with someone your age.”
“Really?” Haley arched a brow and headed for the door, curious. She opened it, and her mouth fell open. “Sky?”
Sky Hampton’s gorgeous brown eyes widened. She squealed and threw her arms around Haley, who returned the embrace. “I thought you moved to Seattle.”
“I moved back.” Sky stepped back and looked Haley over. “How do you get prettier with age?” She grabbed some of Haley’s hair. “Still natural blonde?”
Haley smiled. "Mostly. I give it highlights." She studied her friend. "And you're one to talk. You couldn't be any more beautiful if you tried." Her tall, slender friend had long, thick chestnut brown hair. She was gorgeous and could easily have been a movie star. Not that it came as a surprise, given that her identical twin was a star in her own right—she was a world famous singer. "How's Aspen?”
“Happy enough that I never hear from her, except on social media when she posts to the masses.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m used to it.”
“What brings you back to Enchantment Bay?”
Sky laughed. “I should be asking you the same. Never thought I’d see the day you’d return.”
Haley put her arm around Jensyn. “I couldn’t stay away from this one.”
“I love the blue hair, by the way.” Sky smiled at Jensyn. “And thanks for inviting me over.”
Jensyn shrugged. “This way my friends and I can hang out without direct supervision.”
“Supervision?” Haley exclaimed.
“That reminds me.” Sky stepped back outside and grabbed a bag. “I brought wine and chocolate.”
Haley took the bag. “I knew I always liked you.”
“I do have good taste.” She closed the door, and the two friends headed into the kitchen. “What have you been up to? I never could find you online.”
“I’ve been using Mom’s maiden name as my professional name. I was worried Dad might find me, but he never did.” Haley put the bag on the counter and pulled out the popcorn popper. “It’s actually been weird hearing the name Haley Faraway again. It’s like entering a time warp.”
“Yeah, I bet. But I totally get what you mean about trying to hide your identity. I came back here to get away from everyone in Seattle thinking I’m Aspen. Drives me nuts. Even with her hair magenta now, people still run up to me, begging for autographs.”
Haley poured in the popcorn kernels. “You could always just pretend to be her.”
Sky rolled her eyes. “No. She’s always been the diva. That’s why she was discovered on YouTube. You know me, I’d rather be behind the scenes of my blog.”
“Oh, come on. You know you like getting on screen for the fashion and beauty videos you make.”
The corners of Sky’s mouth twitched. “Fine, you got me—but I’m no diva. How’d you know about the blog, anyway?”
“I never stopped following it. I can’t believe how much you’ve grown it. You’re full time with it, right?”
“Yeah! Who’d have guessed?”
Haley smiled. “You wanna put the sundae stuff on the table? Jensyn’s friends should be here any minute.”
“Who’d have ever thought there would be a double slumber party here?”
A gash in the cabinet caught Haley’s attention. “Certainly not me.” She turned on the popper, glad for the distraction. This was one night she didn’t want even one thought of Dad to cross her mind. By the time she turned the popper off, conversation sounded in the living room.
“Sounds like they’re here.”
Sky helped her get the popcorn into multiple large bowls. They carried them into the living room, and the introductions were made. Jensyn’s two friends were Asia, a petite girl with super-short green hair, and Saige, a tall girl with auburn hair down to her waist.
Ten minutes later, they all had piles of ice cream with every imaginable topping. They started watching the movie, a new release sci-fi romance that Haley hadn’t heard about before. After the movie, the younger girls headed for Jensyn’s room. Sky and Haley cleaned up the mess and then brought out the wine and chocolate.
Haley poured the drinks while Sky opened the candy boxes. Both of them sank into the kitchen chairs and dug in.
“I needed that.” Sky held up her drink. “To being young and carefree again.”
“Cheers to that.” Haley tapped her glass with Sky’s.
After two glasses and running out of small talk, Sky set down her glass. “Tell me you have a good love life.”
“Sorry. I pick one bad apple after another. How about you?”
Sky shook her head. “Guys either want to date me because I look like Aspen or because I’m her sister. I’m kind of hoping being back home will fix that, but so many people still just want to talk about her.”
“Bleh. I don’t. Aspen who?”
They both laughed. Sky popped a chocolate into her mouth. “Thanks. But seriously, you’re not seeing anyone?”
Haley tilted her head. “Why do you ask?”
“You just have that look about you.”
“Look?”
“Yeah, I can spot it a mile away. You’ve got the look of love.”
Haley’s cheeks warmed.
“You do!”
“I’ve just been catching up with Sullivan, but it’s—”
“Sullivan Hunter?” Sky fanned herself.
“Do you know any other Sullivans?” Haley laughed.
“I know he was friends with Jackson back in high school, but wow. I never saw this coming. He’s so hot, I’d seriously date him even if he wanted to pretend I was Aspen. Is the feeling mutual? Not that there’s anything to dislike about you, Miss Thing.”
Haley thought back to their kisses the previous weekend, and her face flamed.
“Tell me everything.” Sky leaned over the table. “I heard he has a tattoo. Is that true?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“So your story isn’t that good, but tell me what made your skin turn beet red.” Sky stared at her expectantly.
“Well, we’ve been texting and talking all week.”
“That’s not what made you blush. What did? Is he a good kisser? I always used to imagine he was.”
“Can we talk about something else?”
Sky shook her head slowly. “I want to hear about this.”
“Okay.” Haley took a deep breath and listened to make sure Jensyn and her friends were still in her room. “I’m falling hard. I’ve never felt like this about anyone—and definitely not this fast.”
“Well, it’s not like he’s a stranger. He pulled your ponytail in kindergarten, remember?”
Haley laughed. “I forgot about that.”
“So, it makes complete sense. They say that friends make the best life partners, so there you go.” Sky emptied the last sip of wine from her glass.
“That’s true.”
“What’s the next step?”
Haley’s mouth went dry. “I don’t know. We have a date tomorrow night.”
“Nice. Maybe we can make it a double. Are any of his brothers still single?”
“I’m not sure. Dakota just got married.”
“Well, find out. I have to see the two of you two together. I’ll find my own date if I have to, but I’ve always wanted to date a Hunter guy—any of them will do.”
Haley laughed. “You haven’t changed a bit. Your sister may be a diva, but you’re no wallflower.”
“Hey, I never claimed to be.” Sky picked up Haley’s phone and handed it to her. “Call Sully. If I have my pick, ask for Logan. Otherwise, Shale is just fine.”
Haley grabbed the phone, excited to hear Sullivan’s voice.