Page 65 of Irresistibly Wicked

“Do you have any brothers or sisters?” Leah asked.

“No.” Shauna shook her head.

“That’s not such a bad thing, trust me,” Madigan said, earning laughs from the others.

“I wish I could have invited your parents,” Reba said. “Preacher tried to track them down, but we weren’t able to find them.”

Oh God. How was she going to explain this? “It’s better that you didn’t. I haven’t been in contact with them since I was seventeen. They weren’t…like your family.”

“My mother wasn’t either,” Chloe said.

“Same,” Reese added.

“Yeah, our mom sucks,” Lettie said.

“Not many families are like this one,” Emerson said sweetly.

“You can say that again,” Leah said. “When I lost my younger brother, River, the Wickeds barely knew me, and they were right there for me and the girls every minute of the day. If not for them, I don’t know how we would’ve survived.”

“You would’ve survived, sweetheart. You’re stronger than you know.” Ginger put her arm around Leah, hugging her against her side.

Seeing the woman who had lost her daughter comforting Leah for the loss of her brother made Shauna’s heart hurt. “I’m sorry you lost your brother, Leah, and Ginger, Zander told me about Ashley. I’m sorry you lost your daughter. I’m sorry all of you lost her.”

“Thank you,” Ginger said. “River and Ashley will always live on in our hearts.”

“Shauna,” Reba said gently. “I’m sorry for whatever happened with your parents, but if you ever want to talk about it, maybe over a glass of wine sometime, we’re here for you.”

“Definitely,” Madigan added.

Even though she was nervous about dumping all her baggage on them at once, she had a feeling this supportive group of women wouldn’t be too quick to judge. “Actually, I’m sober, but maybe we could talk over coffee?”

“I’d like that very much,” Reba said.

“Me too!” Madigan said.

As the other girls chimed in, eagerly offering to be there for her, Ginger suggested they all meet at the Salty Hog for lunch one day soon. Everyone talked at once, and Shauna learned that Ginger and Conroy owned the Salty Hog and that Leah occasionally helped out as a waitress.

“Shauna, give me your phone number, and I’ll set up a group text so we can coordinate.” Madigan pulled out her phone.

Shauna rattled off her number, and a minute later, her phone chimed with a text. “That was fast.”

“That wasn’t from me. I’m still adding everyone to the group,” Madigan said. “I’m adding our friends Marly and Evie, too. They’re in the book club. You’ll love them.”

Shauna pulled out her phone, and her pulse quickened as she opened a text from Zander.

Zander: You okay in there? Are they interrogating you? Need me to rescue you?

“Is it from my brother, or is some other guy making you smile like that?” Madigan asked.

Shauna tried to quell her smile. “It’s Zander. He’s just checking on me,” she said as she thumbed out a reply. I’m fine. Everyone’s really nice. They picked up my outfit. I just have to change.

“That’s thoughtful of him,” Leah said.

“Unless he’s begging her not to bolt,” Sidney said.

“Or telling her he’s got cold feet,” Emerson added.

“The way he stood up to me and Preacher, I don’t think that’s happening,” Reba reassured her.