23. Sisters Group Chat
Lanie:
Ladies… Make sure you’re seated and buckle up! You’re never gonna believe what I just heard.
Lanie:
I’d also advise swallowing any drinks before reading further… Have I got a story to tell you.
Lizzy:
What are you talking about?
Lanie:
The mystery has been solved!!!
Sloane:
Dramatic much?
Lizzy:
Just tell us already! (A woman impatiently tapping her foot gif)
Lanie:
Word on the street is Dad got caught kissing the hell out of Herb Ames’s daughter.
Sloane:
Who is Herb Ames?
Lanie:
Wait for it… Her name is…
Lizzy:
For crying out loud… just tell us already!
Lanie:
Faye!
Lizzy:
What are you talking about? And how do you know he was kissing her?
Lanie:
Ryan saw it firsthand at the diner. Apparently, Dad walked in, Faye called his name, and as Ryan says, Dad turned around, and I quote, “kissed the ever-loving hell out of her.” He was so consumed, he didn’t even notice Ryan sitting in the booth next to him, or her dad, of all people, trying to get their attention.
Sloane:
Shut up. He did not. (heads exploding emoji)
Lanie:
He did. Then Ryan watched him have his ass handed to him the way he terrified all of our husbands when they met Dad for the first time. Ryan nearly died on the spot. Karma came full circle for Colonel Lancaster. Apparently, it was epic, and we missed it!
Raven:
Holy shit… I missed the motherlode of gossip. Wait. When did this happen?
Lanie:
This morning at the diner. Keep up.
Raven:
Sorry. Some of us are still working this summer and have deadlines.
Sloane:
I’m working, and I still responded.
Raven:
Yeah, yeah, overachiever. (eye roll emoji)
Lizzy:
So, Dad’s officially dating this woman? Or did he just kiss her?
Lanie:
According to Ryan, she declared to the entire diner that they’re back together.
Raven:
Holy shit. This is huge!
Lizzy:
Have they been dating long?
Lanie:
It’s new. Apparently, they reconnected last week.
Raven:
Reconnected? It must be serious if he greeted her with a kiss like that.
Sloane:
That follows the timeline of my boys’ stories about her. Apparently, she’s made quite an impression on more than one Lancaster. They still talk about how much fun she was.
Lizzy:
Does that mean she’ll be at the bonfire tonight?
Lanie:
From my understanding, yes.
Sloane:
I can’t wait to meet her. She sounds like a lot of fun.
Lizzy:
Should we let on that we know? Or be surprised?
Lanie:
Dad knows Ryan and I hardly keep secrets.
Raven:
He’d be a fool to think Ryan wouldn’t blab about something like this.
Sloane:
Dad’s no fool. Just be nice so she’ll stick around.
Lizzy:
No kidding. Our family can be a lot for someone new. Especially, since we’ve multiplied like rabbits over the last few years.
Sloane:
Wait… Does she have any kids?
Lanie:
I have no idea.
Raven:
Guess we’ll wait and see.
Sloane:
Be sure to put in the family group chat what you’re bringing. Dad just texted. He’s taking requests and is heading to the store this afternoon.
Lizzy:
Sounds good. Gotta run. Embry’s trying to ride a skateboard in the house.
Raven:
You can blame Dad for that one.
Sloane:
Just wait until he’s cruising down the promenade. See if your heart can handle it.
Lizzy:
See you tonight. Wish me luck!