Page 89 of Rumor Has It

Boone’s face is as red as an apple as he throws his hand in the air. “Thanks!”

“Could you embarrass the man any harder?” I glare at her.

“Welcome! Love you!” She honks again, backing out to go home.

I turn to find Boone, panicked. “Is there a problem?”

“Rumor has a question?” He fidgets.

I step around him to find Rumor tapping her foot. “Is there a problem?”

“Why does everyone call me Boo?” She’s full on stomping now.

I cut my eyes at Boone and decide to let it go. “Your Uncle Ridge gave that nickname to you because he’s always thought you looked like Boone. So, he said you must be Boo Baby. Boone’s Baby.”

“Is that all?” She spins, sashaying toward her room. “I could’ve come up with a better name than that!”

“Oh, yeah?” Boone’s head whirls around, staring at me. “Like what?”

She stops, hand on her hip and full of sass. “Rumor McKenna Baker Hatcher or Hatchling!” She struts through to her room, leaving us with our mouths hanging.

“Hatchling’s cute,” I murmur.

Boone nods. “It is, but I still like Boo Baby.”

An hour later, Rumor and Boone are dressed and waiting on me in the other room. I’m ready to pull my hair out, trying to find a suitable outfit to wear to his parents for dinner.

“Kenzie?” Boone calls from the living room as I’m trying on my fourth outfit.

“Momma! We’re gonna be late,” Rumor yells, bringing a smile to my face. I had to pry them apart to make her take a bath and dress for dinner.

I pull on a pair of jeans with a blue blouse. I pile my hair into a tight bun, touching up my lip gloss. Spinning in the mirror, I bite the bullet. Stepping out into the living room, I search his face for approval.

A smile plays on his lips, Rumor sitting to his right, grinning. Impatient, I place my fists on my hips, glaring at them. Still, nothing.

“Say something!”

They glance at each other, then back to me. “Momma, all of them have been pretty, and I’m hungry, so I’m not saying another word that might make you go change.”

“Rumor! You’re supposed to be on my side.”

Boone holds his hands up. “I didn’t say anything!”

“You put her up to it.” I narrow my eyes. “I’m nervous. I want to look good for y’all.”

Boone exhales as he stands, walking over to me. He takes my hand, flipping me over his shoulder again. “Boo, get your momma’s purse and let’s go.”

“Got it!” Rumor yanks my purse off the table, and runs ahead to Boone’s moms SUV in a giggling fit.

I twist, squirming as best as I can as he carries me out the door. “Put me down right now, Boone Hatcher!”

“Not happening, gorgeous.” He pretends to smack my ass, but he’s fondling it instead.

“Stop manhandling my ass, Boone Anderson.”

His fingers slip between my legs, just like before. By the time we get to his ride, he pulls me over and slides me down his chest. My feet hit the ground, and he pins me to the door.

“You’re beautiful. You’re an amazing mother. Stop worrying about how you look, or if Rumor is clean enough. My parents don’t care about how you look, unless it’s at me.” He presses his lips to mine, releasing me all too soon.