AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her brow winged. “Big brothers don’t want to fuck you.”
I scrunched my nose. “Gross. Never say anything like that to me again.”
She went on her way to the bar, and I wove between tables back to ladies’ night.
Elise pulled out the chair beside hers, welcoming me back. “You’re back to normal and still cute as a button.”
I snorted a laugh. “Thanks. I don’t think anyone’s called me that since I was a child.”
She balanced her chin on her fists. “Oh yeah, I get that. You give off a whole tough girl vibe. But I’ve seen you being lovey with my brother-in-law. It’s kind of impossible for me to be intimidated by you anymore.”
I gaped at her. “You intimidated by me? You’re all, like…fucking gorgeous—and you’re married to Weston freaking Aldrich. I don’t get it.”
“First, thanks for saying I’m hot. I appreciate it.” She flashed me a dimpled grin. “Second, yes, my husband is who he is, but I’m just a girl who fell in love with a boy I’ve known since we were kids.”
I bumped her shoulder. “A boy who turned into a very hot man.”
“Damn right,” she agreed.
From across the table, Clara lifted her glass. “I was already devastated at having to miss Elise and Weston’s wedding, and when I heard you and Miles are a couple, I nearly wept. I feel like a matchmaker.”
I forced a smile, hoping it wasn’t as off-kilter as it felt. “I guess you are. Though, technically, Miles and I had already met and exchanged numbers before I went to Peak—”
Clara held up her hand. “Please. I’m a single mom of a toddler. I have so few victories. Let me have this one.”
Bea dropped my lemonade off just in time for me to raise it in cheers. “Thanks for introducing me to Miles. He’s the most wonderful surprise.” And I meant that completely. Even if he wasn’t truly mine, I would never regret knowing him.
Saoirse blinked rapidly, using her hands to fan her eyes. Shira patted her arm, and I frowned, confused at her reaction.
“Sorry.” She laughed. “It’s just…Miles isn’t only my business partner, he’s one of my best friends. I’ve seen how hard he’s worked to get his shit together over the last year, all quietly and in the background so he wouldn’t let anyone down in case he failed. I’m proud of him, and I’m happy he’s found someone who sees how wonderful he is.”
Tears pricked the backs of my eyes. If only this were real and finding Miles meant happiness, not this aching heart.
Elise sighed. “Weston is beside himself for not realizing Miles was sober. He sat and recounted each time he’d offered Miles a drink over the last year. It was…too many. I’m certain I did too. Fortunately, he hadn’t kept track of that.”
“Miles doesn’t blame him…or you.” I sipped my drink. “I don’t want to speak for him, of course, but I do know he’s very self-aware and sees your and his brother’s mistrust as a byproduct for his past behavior.”
Clara lifted her drink. “Here’s to growing and learning. May the past not cast a shadow on the future.”
She gave Shira a pointed look and clinked her glass.
“Cheers,” Shira murmured. “Let’s hope that can be true for all of us.”
“Speaking of celebrating Miles…” All eyes around the table ended up on me. “He’ll be one-year sober on Thursday. I want to throw him a small surprise party to celebrate. We can do it at my place. It’s tight, but so long as the weather cooperates, we can use the back patio. That is…if you all are interested in coming.”
Elise, Saoirse, and Clara spoke at once, while Shira gave me a sad, polite almost-smile. For a moment, just looking at her gave me an unbearable sense of melancholy. There was something exquisitely sad about her. She was lovely and tragic. I wondered if she missed her husband every second of every day, or if minutes passed in which she didn’t think of him. I wondered if it had gotten better in the three months since we met, or if the pain had only become more acute. She probably could have used a Whitney Mae hug. I knew my mother would have loved to squeeze some of the sadness out of her. She was an expert at that.
We discussed party plans for Miles, and it was decided he needed all the cupcakes his heart could desire. Luca would grill, Weston would supervise. Saoirse would bake, and I had already roped my mama into making sides. Pink lemonade for all. Lots and lots of love and support for Miles.
Elise suddenly stopped speaking, frowning at something over my shoulder. I turned to check for monsters, but the only person I noticed was Nick, stopping by each table as he headed in our direction.
“Is that Nick Garcia?” Elise asked.
“Yes. Nick owns this place,” I replied.
“Do we know him?” Saoirse chirped. “Do we hate him?”
“I used to know him. I’m happy to say I don’t anymore.” Elise had soft features, and her eyes and smile were welcoming without trying. She wasn’t made to give hardened, vicious looks, but that was exactly what she shot Nick. “I went to high school with him. Barely survived him.”
