Inside Out by Grayson Cole Page B

hang out here and study, you can.”
    â€œCool. I mean, if you really don’t mind.”
    â€œNo, I don’t. There’s an extra key in the medicine cabinet in case you need to leave or something.”
    â€œThanks,” he replied, seeing her to her own door. As she stepped out and smoothed her hair, he stood watching her.
    â€œWhat?” she asked.
    â€œYou look incredible. You really do.” His eyes slipped over her like heavy silk and she nearly tripped down the stairs as she left.
    * * *
    It was near eight by the time she got there and her stomach was fluttering. Already there were cars parked in the driveway, on the grass in the front yard, and on the street in front of the house. The balloons on the mailbox were silver and navy blue, Monica and Maurice’s wedding colors. Tracey parked and warily wound her way up the walk. There were way more people there than she had expected, although they had made enough food for a small army. Tracey neared the front door and got cold feet. She could see tons of people squeezed into the living room. She went around to the kitchen and knocked on the door.
    Maurice opened it. He looked great in a pair of black slacks and a warm chocolate brown button-down. He leaned over to give Tracey a kiss on the cheek and let her in. He called for Moni. She wasn’t far behind.
    â€œHey, Trace!” She came over to hug her friend. As she held on to Tracey, she whispered into her ear that she looked great. Immediately, Tracey asked if she was overdressed. “Yeah.” Moni snickered. “But let’s go make everybody else feel underdressed. Hold your head up. Square your shoulders. Take this.” She put a bubbling flute in Tracey’s hand and led her towards her living room. “Girl, let me tell you. I don’t usually drink, but this punch Rico made has been calling to me for at least an hour and a half.”
    â€œAnd where are your children in all this?”
    â€œDown in the basement playing video games, pool, doctor, and God knows what else with everybody else’s kids. But I am not thinking about those children.”
    â€œWho’s watching them?” Tracey inquired, aware that Moni’s babies were never far from her mind no matter what she said.
    â€œNobody, honey,” she whispered to Tracey. “I personally am hoping they pull a Lord of the Flies . That way we’ll have fewer expenses.”
    â€œYou’re a mess.”
    â€œI know. Actually, my oldest, your buddy Tamia, is taking ownership of the younger kids. She’ll come find me if she needs me.” She stood back, taking another close perusal. “I’m not getting over this. You look so good, Tracey. Come in and meet my young eligible guests.”
    â€œWell, what do I look like the rest of the time? You haven’t tried to introduce me to any eligible bachelors before now.”
    â€œChild, please. That doesn’t have anything to do with anything! This was all a set-up, you see, something like a job fair, the job being finding Tracey’s husband-to-be. Now, you can just pick one and stop being by yourself all the time.”
    Little did she know Tracey wasn’t exactly by herself all the time. She thought of Garrett at her house at that very moment, studying and waiting for her. She bit her lip and surveyed the crowd gathered around. A wide range of ages from young up-and-comers to silver-haired retirees filled the room. They were all laughing and joking and singing and dancing and having a good time.
    â€œOh, and over here is my cousin Alex. He might as well be my big brother.”
    There standing before her was Alexander Burke.
    Tracey smiled, genuinely happy to see him. “Hey, Alexander! Small world!”
    â€œTracey! I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” And this very stern, very serious man leaned over and hugged her hard with a big grin on his face. Tracey hadn’t really seen him smile big