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“Trix is working, Lizzy. Let’s give her a chance to do her job.” But I follow her line of sight, wanting another glimpse of her to torture myself with.
Lizzy’s eyes flash to mine, and she studies my face for a minute.
“You’re not gonna take Uncle Rob’s side, are you? I know he has a new girlfriend, and we’re supposed to just be excited for him, but I miss Trix. Do you think they could get back together when he comes to his senses?”
I hope the fuck not.
“I doubt it. Your uncle’s pretty set on the new girlfriend.” I didn’t like her nearly as much. My parents aren’t exactly fans either, and Lizzy has made her opinions well known to everyone but Rob and his girlfriend. But I’m also not rooting for Trix’s return to that particular title either.
“Well, he’s an idiot. She’s not half as smart or as pretty as Trix.”
That’s true, but she’s also half as independent, half as ambitious, and half as well-connected, which means that she doesn’t outshine Rob. Or at least that’s my guess as to why he’s been so enthusiastic about this new relationship. I personally don’t give a shit who he dates. As long as she’s tolerable and doesn’t influence Lizzy, it isn’t my business. If it means that Trix is free and clear, well… that doesn’t hurt either.
Lizzy leads the way to a table on the other side of the room near where the Paines and Westfields are sitting, and I follow her, setting up her food and then letting her know I’m running to get us drinks. My timing is damn near perfect because just as I pull up to the drink station, Trix is en route to the same place. She doesn’t notice me until it’s too late, and then her steps stutter. I can see her glance around like she wants an out, and I’m hoping I can reassure her I’m not here to be Rob’s spy.
“You’re not going to make a run for it, are you?” I ask playfully.
“What?” The guilt is written all over her face. “I just forgot something is all.”
“Not just avoiding anyone with the last name Rawlings then?” I raise a brow.
“No, I just—”
“What are you drinking?” I ask when the bartender nods to me.
“Um, just a wheat beer if they have it.”
I’m surprised it’s not wine since that’s what she always drank before, but I ask the bartender for it and order a second for me and a pop for Lizzy before I turn back to study Trix. The closer I look, the more little changes I see. Something about her hair is different and her makeup too, but I don’t want to be caught staring.
“We can pretend he doesn’t exist if you want. Well, I can’t promise Lizzy won’t mention him. She has big opinions on what an idiot he is, and honestly, I agree with her. But otherwise, we can just be random people on the team you’re getting to know while having a drink and some dessert if you want to come sit with us? Lizzy is dying to talk to you, so I feel like I gotta put in a good word for her.”
The uncertainty leaves her face, and she smiles at me, a genuine one that lights up her chocolate-brown eyes.
“We don’t have to pretend. You and Lizzy were always kind to me. And I’d love to hear about what she’s been up to, if you don’t mind.”
“Nah. She’d love that, and you can catch us up on what you’ve been up to.”
Things like whether she’s over my brother and if she has a new boyfriend.
“Of course. I’d ask the same for you, but I assume most of it wouldn’t be safe for Lizzy’s virgin ears,” she teases me, and the flash of a smirk that crosses her face as I hand over her beer does things for me.
So yeah, whatever recovery I thought I’d done on the whole “not coveting my brother’s girl” front? It’s forgotten the second I watch her walking in front of me, and lost for good the second I see my kid fall into love with her all over again as they discuss her favorite things, her high school and summer camp ambitions, and swipe through the artwork on her phone that she’s been working on while Trixie fawns over them all.
I’m a fucking goner all over again, remembering every single reason I had a crush on this woman in the first place and inventing new ones while I listen to the two of them catch up on life since my brother fucked up. But the beautiful thing about all of this is she’s not my brother’s girl anymore, and I have all the cheat codes to win her over.
3
Beatrix
It’s girls’ night tonight, and Madison and I are both hanging out in Wren’s living room while we catch up on each other’s week. We’re sipping cocktails and mocktails and eating a million and one delicious snacks that Wren has made for us, including a to-die-for chocolate cake that she’s just put on the menu at her sports bar, West Field, that sits next to the stadium.
“What do you put in this, magic?” I blink as I take another bite.
“Something like that.” Wren gives me a bemused look.
“Is the recipe a secret? I feel like I need this in my lineup.”
“She’s obsessed with baking. I don’t know how you guys do it. I don’t mind cooking a few nights a week but baking with all the measuring and mixing and exacting temperatures—it’s not for me.” Madison takes another swipe at the dip with her cracker and eats it while she shakes her head in disbelief.
