A Little Ray of Sunshine Read Online Free PDF Page A

my cupboards and drawers, looking for utensils, “why isn’t it good news that your mother is getting married?”
    “It’s complicated.” I slammed down the second shot and reached for the bottle, but Digs was faster, and he moved it just out of my reach.
    “As the first object in your puke zone, I get administrative rights,” he grumbled, then spoke louder in Jess’s direction. “It’s Lilly’s eighth wedding, and my dad is the victim.”
    Jess’s lips twitched as she shot a look at Digs. “You mean, the groom?”
    “Yeah,” Digs said, cutting me a quick look. “That’s exactly what I mean.”
    “So, how do you all know each other?”
    “Heh heh,” I said. “That’s a complicated story.”
    “My father and her mother were best friends in middle school,” Digs said.
    “Oh!” Jess said, clapping her hands together. “Childhood sweethearts!”
    “Just friends,” I said. “Even by the tender age of ten, my mother knew better than to fall for anyone who wasn’t ‘in the business.’ She always said that sex without career advancement was a waste of a clean set of sheets.”
    Digs shot me a look.
    “What?” I said. “You were there that Thanksgiving.”
    “Anyway,” Digs went on, focusing on Jess, “my dad’s family moved up to Oregon, and Lilly stayed in LA, but they remained close. EJ used to spend summers with us when her mom was working.”
    “Or when she was drinking, or when she was chasing a man, or when being a mother cut into her spa time too much.” Both Digs and Jess went quiet, and I raised an eyebrow at Digs. “Hey, if you hadn’t taken the booze, I’d be drinking instead of talking. Your fault.”
    “Well,” Jess said, her expression bright and cheerful, “it has a happy ending, anyway. After all these years, they’ve found each other again and are getting married! How romantic!”
    “Just warms the cockles.” I turned my focus on Digs. “So, what’s up? You came all the way out here. It has to be more than just spreading the good news.”
    “Smart girl.” He looked at me, then shrugged. “Might as well tell you now. Lilly says she won’t marry Dad unless you’re at the wedding.”
    I sat up straighter. Wow. That was easy.
    “Done.” I nudged my cup toward him to fill. “I’ve just saved your dad from a horrible fate. I’m a hero. Pour.”
    Digs nudged the bottle even farther away. “Dad paid a private detective four thousand dollars to track you down, then he spent a week dogging me until I agreed to come out here and talk to you in person. I’m flipping a property out in Hillsdale that’s worth almost two million, and I’ve already missed two days on the site. Pack up, babe. You’re going.”
    “Well, of course she’s going.”
    I looked up, surprised. I’d almost forgotten Jess was still there. She stood, an unbroken egg hovering in her hand over a bowl, and gave me a look that was an equal mix of kindness and blind determination. I would learn later to take that look seriously, but at that moment, I just scoffed.
    “No, I’m not.” Even I could hear the quiver in my voice, so I cleared my throat and repeated strongly, “No. I’m not.”
    Digs sighed, grabbed the bottle and poured me two fingers.
    “The wedding is on Friday, June twenty-ninth, at the county courthouse—”
    I held up my hand. “Wait, wait, what ? The county courthouse? You want me to believe that my mother is going to have a quiet little ceremony at the county courthouse?”
    Digs gave me a blank look, cleared his throat, and continued. “You will be in Fletcher no later than ten in the morning on that day. There will be a private party afterward. You can leave the next morning if you like, but you will be there. Considering that you haven’t found it within yourself to send so much as a fucking postcard to let us know you’re alive, this is the least you can do, okay?”
    I cringed and lowered my eyes. Digs was about as laid-back as anyone I’ve ever met; when he’s