Free Up All Night Long: From Lust to Love (Romance Anthology) by Ali Parker Page B

hall.
    "He won't move here. He's got big dreams back home and New York is the land of opportunity for him. I think it's just a fling. We'll have to pick up the pieces of one or both of their hearts perhaps." Kari shrugged, hating the very thought of it.
    "Lisa has never fallen in love as long as I've known her. I think it's your brother we need to protect. Warn him tonight to be careful?"
    Kari nodded and stepped off the last step, turning to walk into the kitchen. She placed her hands on the large island in the middle of the room, the kitchen huge and beautiful. "How in the world did you guys score this place? This kitchen is massive."
    Sicily laughed and moved in beside her. "I know, right? I'll be doing most of the cooking, obviously, so it was one of my only requirements."
    Kari's stomach growled, the sound coming off like two cats in a back alley. Both of the girls started to laugh and walked toward the back door, the water sitting just beyond the wooden deck built perfectly to fit the entire back side of the house. They stepped out into the chilly night air as Lisa and Marc separated, walking toward them. Marc looked like a kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar, but Lisa looked perfectly fine.
    "I'm starving," Lisa muttered, rubbing her stomach. "Those chips didn't do it for me today."
    "Me too." Kari moved to put her arm around her brother's waist, a smile on her mouth. "What do you guys feel like?"
    Sicily leaned against the wooden railing, the moon faintly showing in the sky just behind her. "I'm thinking we go grab something from the grocery store and cook it. I can whip us up a stir fry in no time."
    Everyone chimed in and Sicily and Kari decided to take one for the team and go to the grocery store. Lisa growled about them not wanting to help unpack, but a few words from Marc and she was happy to lift all of their furniture, or so it seemed.
    Kari got into the driver’s side and buckled up, a smirk on her lips as Lisa and Marc started to work on the back of the U-Haul. "I think we got the easy end of the deal this time."
    Sicily got in and laughed. "No shit. Although, if we get back and nothing has been moved out of that U-Haul, they totally got it on."
    Kari groaned. "Ewww... Come on, man. That's my baby brother."
    "Your playboy baby brother." Sicily shook her head and pointed down the road. "I'm pretty sure I remember there being a small grocery store right beside that junior high we stopped in front of earlier."
    "Great. I love your cooking and it's been too long."
    "Do you love the house? You good with your room and all?" Sicily turned toward Kari, her voice soft and caring.
    Kari nodded. "Oh yeah. I love it. The room seems to be the best in the house though. You guys didn't have to do that. I'll pay extra on the rent or something."
    "No, silly. We did that to remind you that you're loved. I'm so sorry about the reason you decided to come with us, but I'm stoked that you're here. It's just not the same without you now that we've all gotten so close over the last few years."
    A warm smile covered Kari's face as she made the final turn to the small grocery store, the building a quarter of the size of the ones back home. "I do feel loved. I think being with you guys is going to help me get over this much faster than I thought possible."
    They parked and got out, Sicily grabbing a small buggy and moving in front. "I'm going to get the veggies and chicken. You go grab us a box of rice and a bottle of wine. I'll meet you at the counter."
    "Okay," Kari responded and moved past the produce, her eyes adverted up to the large signs that sat above each aisle. She finally found the rice and pasta in the middle of the oriental aisle, the categories making no sense at all. She grabbed an off-brand box of rice, none of the usuals finding their way to the shelves.
    Tucking it under her arm, she walked toward the end of the small store and found the very tiny wine section, the usual array of options limited to forty or so.