*Lauren*

The knock caught me off guard, an interruption to the quiet of my bungalow. I peered through the sheer curtains and was surprised to see Shelby's silhouette on the porch. I hadn’t expected her for at least another hour or so.

"Hey, girl!" Shelby burst in with the enthusiasm of a summer storm, her red hair a vivid contrast against the dusky blue of her dress. "Michael said he’ll be the twins for the rest of the night. Let's have some fun! Something outside of the ...